Surgery delays for certain breast cancer types increase mortality

A new study from the University of Oklahoma finds that waiting more than 42 days for breast cancer surgery can increase the risk of death for certain patients. This is particularly true for those with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancers, which usually have better outcomes. The research revealed that the risk of death increases significantly with delayed surgery. At 60 days, the risk rises by 21%, and it climbs to 79% by 90 days. After 120 days, the risk jumps to 183%. In contrast, more aggressive breast cancer types, like hormone receptor-negative, showed little change in risk with delays. Lead researcher Takemi Tanaka emphasized the importance of timely surgery. Many patients face logistical challenges that can delay treatment, such as work commitments or the desire for a second opinion. In 2022, recommendations were made for women to have surgery within 60 days, but Tanaka suggested that some may need it sooner. Researchers are exploring why delays affect certain cancer subtypes. One possibility is that slower-growing cancers have more potential to develop changes during a waiting period. Previous studies have shown that treatment delays can lead to greater risks for various types of cancers. Tanaka's new findings also track breast cancer-specific deaths, rather than overall survival. Tanaka had previously shown that surgery delays could lead to larger tumor sizes. Her current study, based on a broader population dataset, adds to this knowledge. She plans to conduct further research to better understand how delays impact breast cancer outcomes.