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Fatwa CenterChoosing the lesser of two evils in medical treatment
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. I had a biopsy on my right breast and they found a lesion. The doctor said that with this kind of lesion, they sometimes find cancer around it but will not know about this until it is checked after the surgery. I was told that it should be removed because of my health history. My concern is that if it is removed and turns out to be cancer, they will want to do radiation treatment. I recently found out that I have a genetic mutation in one of my genes for breast cancer. I have had breast cancer in my left breast twice. The second time it was throughout the entire breast and under my arm. The breast was removed. I had chemotherapy both times and had radiation treatment once. Praise be to Allaah, I was cured both times. I also have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which spread to the lungs, a couple of years ago. I had treatment for it but still have some on my lungs. I feel fine though, praise be to Allaah. I have an appointment with a surgeon next week and want to know what my options are, Islamically. I am concerned that if it is found to be cancer they will want me to have radiation treatment as a precaution that some cancer might be left. However, the lesion may not be cancer and I will not know until after the surgery has been done and it is assessed. In this case, because this type of lesion sometimes can be cancer and my history of breast cancer, can I have my breast removed instead of just taking out the lesion and the tissue around it. I do not want to have radiation again because I have had it before and also took a radioactive pill for my thyroid treatment. So more radiation for me would not be good. If they give me the option of choosing another surgery afterwards providing it shows cancer then that is fine. However, I am concerned that the only options they might give me is the lesion removal and radiation treatment or removing the whole breast without knowing whether it is cancer or not. May Allaah reward you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
We would like to thank you for your trust in us and for seeking our fatwa. We implore Allaah, The Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to relieve you from all harms, ailments, and afflictions. Verily, Allaah, The Exalted, is the One Who cures the sick; there is no cure but through Him. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me.} [Quran 26:80] 'Aa'ishah 
said, "Whenever the Prophet visited a sick person or a sick person was brought to him, he would make supplication for him, saying, 'Athhib Al-Baas, Rabbannaas, ishfi Anta Ash-Shaafi, la shifaa'a illa shifaa'uka shifaa'an la yughaadiru saqama.'" (Take away the pain, O Lord of mankind, and grant healing, for You are the Healer, and there is no healing but Your healing that leaves no trace of sickness) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
We advise you to implore Allaah frequently, especially by supplicating for well-being and recovery. You can find some of these supplications among the reported supplications and thikr (expressions of remembrance of Allaah) that are to be recited in the morning and evening. These are some of the spiritual aspects that you should bear in mind along your journey of medical treatment and doctor visits.
The basic Fiqh principle is that if there is a clash between two evils, then one should choose the lesser of the two. Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah 
said, "The Islamic sharee'ah is based on achieving benefits and perfecting them, and warding off evils and reducing them. In case of a clash, genuine piety entails choosing the greater of two benefits or the lesser of two evils..."
This is the general principle in this regard. As to who should determine which is the lesser evil in your case, those are the skilled, trustworthy doctors for they are more knowledgeable about this. So seek their consultation and act upon their advice.
Allaah knows best.
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