Breast cancer does not automatically mean that a woman must undergo mastectomy. Equivalent survival can be obtained by performing Lumpectomy and giving post-op radiation. Sometimes, the lymph nodes under the arm are removed through a separate incision. Breast conservation enables a woman to keep her own breast. The cosmetic results are far superior to mastectomy with reconstruction. Breast conservation is well tolerated from an emotional standpoint simply because the women keeps her breast. Remember that the cure rate is the same for mastectomy or breast conservation.