Table 4 What women were not told by their doctors

P01

…I didn’t know that BCS is a better option when compared to mastectomy, for patients having breast cancer of early stage… Recently I’ve met a few people who underwent BCS and are on radiotherapy, but I didn’t realize that it could also be done on me, and that the outcome would be more favorable.

P08

I was not told about the advantages and disadvantages or about survival of the two options.

P09

They did not tell me anything regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the two options… I was not told about the complications of surgery or the need for chemo/radiotherapy… I got to know that I had to undergo chemotherapy only after coming to Tellipalai Hospital.

P11

…I wasn’t given a clue regarding BCS… They also didn’t comment on the outcome, what would happen if the breast was not removed, or the possible complications and follow up plan if I underwent BCS.

P13

I was not told regarding the need for radiotherapy or chemotherapy post-surgery or that I would have to follow radiotherapy if I underwent BCS.