October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of this devastating disease. While most women are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same.
Not all women who have breast cancer will need reconstructive surgery, however for those that might, here are a few suggestions that may alleviate some fears and foster an understanding of the process.
Dr. Jensen of the Jensen Center for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery is always available to meet with women and offers his services in the community along with reviewing reconstructive options.
Typically, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer will schedule an appointment to see Dr. Jensen and discuss her reconstructive options. Often being aware of the promise of what reconstructive surgery can do for her will bring a new sense of control and relief to her and her loved ones.
Planning a reconstructive procedure at the same time as a cancer removal can significantly shorten overall healing time, and relieve her of the necessity of going without a breast or with significant deformity for a period of time. Some women even have the option of preserving the nipple areola, and creating much of the breast form at that first surgery.
Options for reconstruction include placement of a temporary expansion device to expand the breast volume back to where it was or is desired in anticipation of placement of a permanent natural feeling implant as a second step.
There will often be a resulting asymmetry between the reconstructed and the uninvolved breast.
By federal mandate, all insurance companies are obliged to cover the costs of needed surgery to the uninvolved breast to achieve the best symmetry possible, be it lifting, augmenting, or reducing.
If you are a loved one are facing reconstruction, stay encouraged and know that the end results can be very good.