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Health Network: 'She Never Came Back' Doctor's Heartbreaking Memory: Benign Breast Tumor Made Young Woman Cry

From Liberty Times · (14m ago) Chinese Mixed tone

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A doctor recounts a distressing case of a young woman who became deeply upset after surgery for benign breast tumors.
  • The patient developed keloid scars from the initial surgery and was hesitant to undergo a second procedure on the other breast.
  • This experience prompted the doctor to seek less invasive surgical techniques to minimize patient distress and improve cosmetic outcomes.

In a poignant reflection on the emotional toll of medical treatment, Dr. Lin Wen-chiung of Luofu Women's Clinic shares a deeply affecting story that has stayed with her for over a decade. The case involves a vibrant woman in her mid-thirties who, after discovering three benign tumors in her breast during a routine check-up, opted for surgical removal to mitigate any future risk of malignancy. While the procedure was medically necessary, the resulting scars left the patient deeply distressed.

She never came back.

— Dr. Lin Wen-chiungRecounting the patient's disappearance after being told she needed a second surgery.

Six months later, the patient returned for a follow-up, only to find new lesions on her other breast. Faced with the prospect of another surgery and the potential for more scarring, her emotional response was starkly different. Tears welled up as she described her existing keloid scars from the first operation, and her reluctance to undergo further procedures was palpable. Ultimately, she left the clinic, never to return, a decision that weighs heavily on Dr. Lin.

I had three scars on my right breast that were still red and had developed keloids, and now I need surgery on the left side.

— PatientExpressing her distress over scarring and the need for further surgery.

This heartbreaking experience served as a powerful catalyst for Dr. Lin. She recognized that while treating the physical ailment was crucial, the psychological impact of the treatment, particularly the scarring, could be equally detrimental. The patient's distress underscored the need for medical interventions that not only heal the body but also preserve the patient's sense of self and well-being. It highlighted the importance of considering the aesthetic and emotional consequences alongside the medical necessity of a procedure.

Even though I diagnosed her correctly, the treatment process caused her emotional harm.

— Dr. Lin Wen-chiungReflecting on the psychological impact of the treatment on the patient.

Driven by this encounter, Dr. Lin began a dedicated search for surgical and biopsy methods that would minimize scarring and preserve the patient's appearance. This led her to explore advancements like stereotactic vacuum-assisted micro-biopsy and ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgeries. These techniques, which have become more refined in recent years, offer alternatives to traditional open surgeries that often leave significant scars and can lead to disfigurement. Dr. Lin's commitment to 'healing the person, not just the illness' reflects a growing understanding in medicine that patient care must encompass both physical and emotional healing, a perspective that resonates deeply within Taiwan's health-conscious society.

Even if I heal the person, I must also heal the heart.

— Dr. Lin Wen-chiungStating her motivation to find less invasive surgical methods.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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