Known Canadian Belinda Stronach, a former Member of Parliament and Magna International CEO, opened up to Canada.com about her treatment for breast cancer, her mastectomy and a journey that led her to the USA for breast reconstruction surgery, due to reconstructive limitations in her native land.
Any breast cancer diagnosis is scary for patients, their friends and family members. According to BreastCancer.Org 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, and every year nearly 290,000 new cases are diagnosed. Truly every cancer patient is a hero. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recognized five patients who received The Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity award this year at the first annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day) in the United States held on October 17th.
Save The Date: PinkChoseMe Foundation is hosting the Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day USA 2012 event, on October 17, in New York City. It will be held at the Martin Lawrence Gallery in the SoHo neighborhood of NYC . Funds will go to the Breast Reconstruction Awareness Fund of to increase understanding about breast reconstruction. PinkChoseMe is part of a two-year partnership between American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Plastic Surgery Foundation.
New infrared technology referred to as Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) spectral imaging is helping plastic surgeons predict the success of breast reconstruction procedures. This is good news for both the plastic surgeons and the patients who undergo breast reconstruction surgery.
Jewel, an internationally-renowned singer and songwriter, has just penned her new song “Flower,” which aims to increase the awareness of patients who have breast cancer about their options on therapy, and that breast reconstruction surgery is the most effective way to remove all the tumors present in the surrounding breast tissue to avoid further spread of the cancer, or metastasis. She said in an interview that breast reconstruction is more than just an aesthetic option for women who want to look better; it is now a way for breast cancer survivors to find new hope in a time of their lives that is full of despair.
Breast cancer imposes many concerns for patients, including treatments, illness, whether surgery is necessary, and if a Mastectomy involving the surgical removal of the breasts or surrounding tissues and lymph nodes. Recently the British Journal of Cancer stated that patients also suffer from chronic pain post-breast cancer surgery. Dr. Julie Bruce, lead author of the study and physician at the University of Warwick, said that women who undergo mastectomy generally undergo similar pain-relief management once they get discharged from the hospital.
The American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that 89 percent of women polled would like to see the results and outcomes of reconstructive breast surgery, before cancer treatment and before actually having surgery. With advances in technology, devices, instruments and software, it is possible for women to preview options and outcomes, prior to surgery. ASPS will have an event during the upcoming Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day in New Orleans on October 17th.
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital have partnered with supportive group Breast Cancer Arabia Foundation to help women who do not have the financial capacity to get breast cancer treatment. It is a timely decision in the month of Ramadan—which is the Muslim time for giving and receiving blessings.
Understanding that there is, generally, more than one part to a breast reconstruction; in part 3, we discuss initial surgery and the option and choices of implants for this procedure
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), recent published a study “Texting Linked to Faster Breast Reconstruction Recovery” led by Dr. Rao of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which showed the benefits of post operative support via texting between patients and their doctors, for added support during recovery.