A wide local excision is a procedure that sees the removal of the breast cancer along with a margin (border) of normal, healthy breast tissue. The aim is to keep as much of your breast as possible while ensuring the cancer has been completely removed.

After surgery, the pathologist examines the tissue that has been removed. They will check the area (margin) around the cancer. If there are cancer or pre-cancer cells (DCIS) at the edges, you will need another operation to remove more tissue. Making sure the margins are clear reduces the risk of the cancer returning in the breast.

In early breast cancer, having a Wide Local Excision followed by radiotherapy has been found to be as effective as a mastectomy.