Radical Mastectomy

Radical Mastectomy

Discussion

   Mastectomy is the surgical term for the partial or complete removal of one or both breasts. This procedure is usually carried out to treat breast cancer. According to Silverstein radical mastectomy is a form of breast cancer treatment in which the entire breast, lymph nodes and underlying chest muscle of the axilla are removed.  This procedure leaves the patient breast area deformed. Most doctors prefer simple partial mastectomy to it.

          When Nancy noticed a lump in her breast, she visited her health care provider who is a general practitioner. This is usually the primary caregiver; the primary caregiver is the first person who gets in contact with the patient. The primary caregiver diagnosed the symptoms that Nancy exhibited and referred her to a secondary caregiver.

         The secondary caregiver is the one responsible for diagnosing the ailment. Once Nancy got to the secondary caregiver, a biopsy was conducted to determine whether or not the lump was cancerous. After it being concluded that the lump is cancerous Nancy was then referred to a tertiary caregiver who has specialized in the treatment of cancer. The tertiary caregiver considered all the possible treatment options and based on the stage the cancer was in opted for mastectomy as a way of treatment. After the mastectomy, Nancy was then transferred to the rehabilitation stage where she rested as she waited to heal and recover from the operation.

        This system of patient transfer is highly efficient in the sense that a patient is meticulously diagnosed and sent to the best possible caregiver for treatment.

        The patient's payer played a significant role in determining Nancy's medical care provision. Nancy's health insurance policy could not wholly cover the cost of the treatment as a result of this Nancy faced the possibility of being turned away from the treatment. Through the collaboration of the patient's payer with insurance, patients can afford treatment in cases where they initially could not.

       According to me, the patients care was handled professionally because it allowed her to pass through the hands of well-trained doctors and by so doing she was able to get different opinions from several doctors. This process of patient transfer also allows the doctors to specialize on particular aspects of treatment making them more efficient.

       Through the use of telemedicine, Nancy was able to have access to her rehabilitation caregiver after she was discharged. Her rehabilitation caregiver was able to keep in contact with her and monitor her improvement.