(Danville) -- A central Pennsylvania oncologist is urging breast cancer patients to consider undergoing breast-conserving surgery instead of a mastectomy as a possible way to treat cancer. Dr. Victor Vogel, director of the Geisinger Cancer Institute in Danville, Montour County, points to a new study from The Lancet medical journal that shows less surgery can help improve a breast cancer patient's outcome. Vogel says the radiation following breast-conserving surgery can be especially helpful. "These new data say that you'll have a, not a hugely better chance, but clearly a better, scientifically-demonstrated chance of surviving and not dying of breast cancer because of the benefit of the radiation, not only in saving the breast but in preventing these future, distant metastases," he says. Vogel says 30 percent of breast cancer patients had mastectomies at the Geisinger Cancer Institute in 2009, compared to just more than 17 percent today. He adds early detection of breast cancer is especially important in helping to treat and cure the disease. For more information on cancer treatment or to share your story about the disease, take a look at witf's multimedia initiative, Facing Cancer Together.