When it comes to breast cancer, it's war -- and our women are being bashed, beaten, battered and bloodied on the front lines.

A new study shows the hidden toll of all the needless surgeries, poisonous chemotherapy sessions and overall over-diagnosis of this exaggerated condition: Women are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and in alarming numbers.

No surprise there -- that's what happens when you hack off body parts for no reason.

Researchers from the Panteion University of Athens say 45 percent of women who undergo breast cancer treatments suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, which is usually associated with soldiers who've been through battlefield trauma.

But with odds like that, you're better off taking your chances in a real war zone. Heck, "only" a third of the soldiers who return from Iraq come down with the condition.

The researchers said at the Impakt Breast Cancer Conference in Brussels that even women who've had "successful" treatments are at risk for the condition, which includes depression, anxiety, nightmares and mood swings.

And they call that success? Give me a break already!

There's no doubt in my mind: If these breast cancer patients were absolutely convinced they did the right thing, that they faced a terrible, deadly disease and won, they wouldn't be suffering from PTSD.

They'd be doing a victory dance.

This new study only proves that somewhere inside, they suspect they've been swindled -- even if they can't quite bring themselves to say so out loud. After all, most women never needed surgery in the first place... and many cancer cases are CAUSED by mammograms.

The researchers behind this study are warning doctors to watch women for the signs of PTSD... but they're warning the wrong people.

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