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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Options Increasing for Women Who Lose Breasts to Cancer
SAN FRANCISCO, CA:Despite advances in breast cancer detection and treatment, many of the 269,730 women who will be diagnosed
this year—even those who catch the disease early on—will lose one or both breasts.
But most can emerge from the ordeal with new breasts, if they choose to do so.
“Just a generation ago, disfigurement was the only post-mastectomy option,” says Kathy Steligo, three-time breast
cancer survivor and author of The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook.
“We’re living in remarkably different times. A reconstructed breast can restore a woman’s physical symmetry
and sense of wholeness. In many cases, new breasts can be made smaller, larger or more symmetrical than a woman’s own
natural breasts.”
In recent years, breast reconstruction has evolved into a remarkably sophisticated procedure. Breasts can be recreated with
saline or silicone implants, but increasingly, women are choosing more natural alternatives. Using fat and muscle transplanted
from a woman’s back or buttocks, plastic surgeons can give her soft, natural-looking new breasts. Many surgeons are
now using an improved procedure to spare the muscle and shorten recovery time. More commonly, these reconstructive procedures
use abdominal fat for the new breasts, providing a tummy tuck as well..
These man-made breasts aren’t perfect—yet. A restored breast may look like the real thing, but usually has only
minimal sensation because nerves are severed during mastectomy. Nor can women breastfeed from a reconstructed breast. But
promising discoveries are on the medical horizon. One of the most exciting ideas is to prompt a woman’s body to regenerate
her lost breast. It’s not as Buck Rogers as it sounds: researchers have successfully nudged stem cells to grow new ears
and breasts on lab animals.
“Someday, we’ll control breast cancer,” says Steligo. “We’ll know how to prevent it or turn
it off, and mastectomy will become obsolete. Until then, reconstruction is our best antidote to losing a breast.”
She offers the following tips for women facing mastectomy and considering reconstruction:
1. Reconstruction can be performed immediately after mastectomy or months/years later.
2. Procedures are tailored to each woman’s preference and anatomy.
3. Weigh the benefits and limitations of each technique before deciding on one.
4. Consult at least two or three plastic surgeons before selecting one.
5. Do your own research. Become your own advocate. Make your own decisions.
The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook
By Kathy Steligo
2nd Edition
$19.95
6" x 9" paperback
208 pages 78 illustrations and photos
ISBN: 0-9669799-7-4
Published: September 2005
The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook, 2nd Edition is a comprehensive resource about mastectomy
and reconstructive options (800-431-1579, www.breastrecon.com or Amazon.com) for patients and medical professionals.
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