A pilot study to examine the experiences and attitudes of women with breast cancer towards one versus two-step axillary surgery

PURPOSE: To elicit the views, experiences and preferences of women with clinically node negative breast cancer towards intra-operative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) analysis. METHODS: Focus groups with 14 women with breast cancer from two UK centres; one group had undergone the standard practice of waiting two weeks for results of their axillary surgery, the other had experienced the intra-operative SLNB analysis. RESULTS: Women generally were unaware about their lymph nodes, what their function is and how they are removed. Preference was indicated for intra-operative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) analysis provided clear descriptions were given about the risk of experiencing false negative and false positive results. DISCUSSION: Adopting an intra-operative analysis technique of axillary nodes was viewed as an excellent option by women from both centres. The immediacy of knowing the results was seen as a great advantage for their physical and psychological well being and more cost effective.