Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona wants you to know that Wednesday, Oct. 19 is Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day. Breast reconstruction is an important part of the journey for women battling breast cancer. For many, it restores a sense of wholeness by recreating what cancer has taken. Sadly, many women are not always aware of their options for breast reconstruction. Following a diagnosis of breast cancer, many times, women are processing a lot of very important information and making many decisions in a very short amount of time. Because of the stress of multiple appointments, making plans for treatments, and rearranging their lives to begin the journey, sometimes information regarding breast reconstruction options gets lost in the shuffle. It is always disheartening to hear how many women, after undergoing cancer surgery, report being unsure of their options for reconstruction. A recent survey shows that only about 23 percent of women know about the wide range of options available for breast reconstruction.
It is important for women to know that, no matter what type of surgical treatment is being done for breast cancer, there are usually many different options available for breast reconstruction, which are almost always covered by their health insurance plan. The reconstructive procedures can be done immediately, meaning at the time of cancer surgery, or in a delayed fashion, meaning weeks, months or even years later. In addition, reconstruction can be done with breast implants or with their own tissue, in a single surgery or spread out over a couple smaller surgeries. Some procedures require a hospital stay and some can be done on an outpatient basis. Some are appropriate for a patient who has had a lumpectomy, and others for the patient having a mastectomy.
Women with breast cancer need to know that there is likely an option that can fit their situation, desires and goals. Almost anyone can be a candidate for breast reconstruction, no matter what the treatment was or when it was done. Every woman has options.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has worked hard over the years to raise awareness and to promote education for breast cancer patients regarding their options. Similarly, Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona is committed to providing breast cancer patients from all of Northern Arizona with information, options and high quality breast reconstruction care. Clearly, there is still more work yet to be done in communicating needed information, but awareness is growing, and patients are benefitting from the efforts. BRA day is one such effort. We hope that some day soon all women will be aware of their options and be empowered to make an informed decision regarding breast reconstruction. FBN
Dr. Adam Boettcher
More information is available at breastreconusa.org
Or by contacting Plastic Surgeons of Northern Arizona,
928-774-2300 or PSNA.net.