Did you know that a lumpectomy with complete removal of a breast cancer from your breast followed by radiation to the breast, is as effective as mastectomy? Let me explain. For example, if you and I were identical twins and we both had breast cancer and I chose to keep my breast and you chose to have your breast removed with a mastectomy, we would live the same amount of time. Studies have demonstrated that lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy is equivalent to survival stage for stage compared to a mastectomy for early breast cancer. Some women make a fear-based decision to have a more radical procedure which does not necessarily help them to live longer and may impact quality of life.
Planting Seeds for Good Harvest
Dr. Dauway is the co-inventor of radioactive seed localization of non-palpable lesions which was patented in the United States by the University of South Florida in 1999. So why aren’t all surgeons using radioactive seeds instead of hook wire? Because radioactive materials are highly regulated and difficult to implement in all hospitals especially in regional remote areas. Radioactive seeds are usually offered in larger tertiary hospitals and even many of them still use hook wires. Fortunately, in the UK a new seed was created that uses no radioactivity. It is called the MagSeed.
The Magseed is a small medical grade metal seed which can be placed easily by the radiologist several days prior to your surgery. It stays safely next to the tumor. It is identified by the surgeon easily with a hand-held probe similar to a small metal detector. The surgeon may then remove or harvest the cancer from the breast with greater precision and accuracy. Dr. Dauway with her years of experience with seed technology was able to perform this procedure safely and efficiently in regional hospitals in Australia.
Dr. Dauway is the first surgeon to use MagSeed in Australia. She has shared her research at the Royal Australiasian College of Surgeons Annual Congress with her colleagues. She has implemented Magseed technology in 5 Queensland hospitals ( metro, regional, public, and private) and has trained other surgeons so they may help their patients.
In 2025, women with breast cancer have many treatment options. You may not have a choice in having breast cancer, but you do have choices on how you want to respond to treating it. It’s important to make an informed decision, not a fear-based decision. If you’d like to know all of your treatment options, then contact Dr. Dauway today to learn more and take back control of your life!
Magtrace
Magtrace is a magnetic lymphatic tracer used during sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer surgery to locate and identify sentinel lymph nodes, which are the first lymph nodes that drain from a tumor. It helps surgeons determine if cancer cells have spread from the breast tumor to the nearby lymph nodes.
How it works:
- Magtrace is a liquid containing tiny iron oxide particles that are magnetically detectable.
- It’s injected into the breast tissue around the tumor.
- The tracer follows the lymphatic system and collects in the sentinel lymph nodes.
- Surgeons use a magnetic probe to detect the tracer in the sentinel nodes, allowing them to identify and remove these nodes for testing. catering
Dr Emilia Dauway
By incorporating yoga and mindfulness in her surgical practice, Dr Emilia Dauway empowers women to live without fear through mindful living.