Biopsy rates for patients being treated for breast cancer provide value to both physicians and the patients themselves, though comprehensive data on the topic is limited. A new study published in JAMA Surgery looked to change this, focusing on the frequency of breast biopsies by the patient’s five- and 10-year follow-up and additional post-biopsy cancer treatment.

The study included data from more than 121,00 patients with Medicare or commercial insurance. Overall, 14 percent of patients on commercial insurance needed a breast biopsy by their five-year follow-up and more than 23 percent needed one by their 10-year follow-up. For Medicare patients, those numbers were more than 11 percent after the five-year follow-up and more than 14 percent by the 10-year follow-up.

The authors noted that such statistics help breast cancer patients going through this experience gain a better understanding of what their experience may be like following treatment.

“This is a genuine concern for patients,” lead author Henry Kuerer, MD, PhD, department of breast surgical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said in a prepared statement. “Many feel very anxious over the future need for biopsies and the potential of another diagnosis. Women will often choose a mastectomy rather than have the fear and stress associated with future biopsies or another cancer diagnosis.”

The study also found that, following a breast biopsy, more than 29 percent of patients on commercial insurance and more than 23 percent of Medicare patients underwent additional cancer treatment.

Also, patients receiving a breast biopsy were “significantly more likely” to receive additional treatment for their cancer if they were first treated with breast-conserving surgery.