Abstract
The mastectomy techniques used to treat breast cancer patients today are a product of thousands of years of discovery. Early mentions of breast excision and cauterization can be found in Ancient Egyptian and Indian texts dating back to 3000 B.C. Formally developed by Halsted in 1894, the radical mastectomy marked an important innovation in breast cancer therapy. Employment of the technique nearly doubled the patient survival rate. Since Halsted’s time, the uses for this technique have also changed. Less invasive surgeries such as lumpectomies are often preferred by patients, with radical mastectomy surgeries now commonly used for prophylaxis. This article explores the significance of Halsted’s innovation, while providing contextual evidence that examines the noteworthy events that both precede and follow it. It also examines how Halsted’s innovation rose and later fell from public favour.
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