Study: Double mastectomies don't improve odds

Over the past 20 years, five times as many breast cancer patients have chosen double mastectomies, even when the cancer is on one side.

However, Stanford University doctors say it doesn't improve the chances of long-term survival.

After studying 190,000 cases, they found survival rates after double mastectomies are the same as for localized, breast-conserving surgery with radiation afterward.

Doctors worry that women are choosing double mastectomies without getting the whole picture.

"This is a surgery which has a higher complication rate," said Dr. Allison Kurian. "We really need to improve on our strategies for communicating this kind of information to a patient."

The operation is especially popular among younger women - about a third choose double mastectomies.