Skip to main content

Myths and Facts about Breast Reconstruction

Breast Cancer is the most common malignancy occurring in Indian women. The rate being as high as 25.8 per 1,00,000 women. The incidence of Breast cancer is rising and what is alarming is the age group in which it is being diagnosed. More and more younger women are being affected by Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer has been seen to occur a nearly a decade earlier in Indian Women as compared to the western population. Studies suggest that the disease burden peaks in the age group of 40-50 years in Indian women. Due to increased awareness and improved diagnostic tools the number of women undergoing treatment for breast cancer has increased significantly. However, out of the number of women undergoing mastectomy, a shockingly low percentage of women opt for breast reconstruction. The reasons can be variable.

 1. Lack of awareness regarding breast reconstruction.
What is breast reconstruction?
The goal of breast reconstruction is to restore one or both breasts to near normal shape, appearance, symmetry and size following mastectomy, lumpectomy or congenital deformities.
Breast reconstruction often involves multiple procedures performed in stages and can either begin at the time of mastectomy or be delayed until a later date.
Breast reconstruction generally falls into two categories: implant-based reconstruction or flap reconstruction. Implant reconstruction relies on breast implants to help form a new breast mound. Flap (or autologous) reconstruction uses the patient's own tissue from another part of the body to form a new breast.
There are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing which option is best:
  • Type of mastectomy
  • Cancer treatments
  • Patient's body type.
A lot of women are not aware of these options when they undergo surgery, or have a lot fear and apprehension about it. Such procedures are routinely done in western countries and are a norm rather than an exception. 
Every breast cancer patient consults a Plastic and reconstructive surgeon beforehand to know her options and the pros and cons of each procedure. 

Lack of Foresight.

Many women are in a state of denial and panic when they are diagnosed with Breast cancer. Once they complete their treatment they regret not opting for a breast reconstruction at the mastectomy stage. Even though a delayed reconstruction can be performed, an immediate reconstruction gives much better cosmesis due to availablility of skin envelope, also allows the patient to wake up with a reconstructed breast and saves repeated anaesthesia exposure. 

 Financial Constraints.

 Cancer is a debilitating disease. The investigations and treatment modalities involved in Cancer care including Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy are expensive. However the good news is that Health Insurance Companies have included the entire spectrum of cancer care in their policies and this includes reconstructive surgeries as well. Most corporate or group insurances cover immediate as well as delayed breast reconstruction.

 The last two decades have seen tremendous advancement in cancer care and the mortality rates due to breast cancer have significantly reduced. With the new and advanced techniques of Breast reconstruction women can not only be disease-free but also live a socially active and fulfilling life.
The new age Cancer management involves a holistic approach to cancer care, not just increasing the longevity but also the quality of life of Women. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Happy 40th Anniversary Aai-Baba.

 My mom and dad were born in the interiors of Maharashtra. Both academically brilliant, yet they couldn't be more different from each other. If my father is a mountain, my mother is a river. Meandering around the mountain yet calmly molding it.  When they came to Mumbai, they had next to nothing to call their own, yet they thrived and conquered the challenges thrown at them one step at a time, learning from mistakes, yet never backing down. And slowly, but surely they built a cushion for us to rest on, and a ladder to climb upon and reach greater heights. All this while, when we lived frugally, they engrained the value of 'Simple Living and High Thinking' in our minds. Even today, they believe in living by example. Instead of living a life of luxury in a metro city, or America, where my brother lives,  they chose to live in our native village in Vidarbha after retirement. Living close to nature, eating simple food, and giving back to the society, by teaching all the villa...
2 comments
Read more

7 Things you need to know before going for LASER Hair removal.

Unwanted hair growth is a common aesthetic problem. Common methods of hair removal include Waxing, Shaving and use of epilators. However these techniques can be painful, need to be repeated often and their effects last for just a few days after the procedure. LASER hair removal promises to be a permanent painless solution and has emerged to be one of the most requested aesthetic procedures in recent times. Owing to the simplicity and demand for the procedure, a large number of 'LASER Clinics' have mushroomed in the last few years. However, due to low-quality machines and inadequately trained staff performing these procedures, the results have been inconsistent and LASER hair removal has fallen into disrepute. Hence, there is a need for adequate research and knowledge of certain facts before venturing out and spending your hard-earned money for these procedures. 1. Not all Hair removal LASERS are equally effective. Before going for the procedure it is important to k...
Post a Comment
Read more

Is having an 'issue' really an issue?

Years ago, I received a phone call for an interview as surgical registrar at a reputed hospital. I was in a fix, as I was stranded with a 9 month old infant at home for that week, my in-laws were out of station and my husband was busy at work. Determined to make it work and not reschedule the interview, I made a few phone calls and requested my husband's cousin to look after my son while I was away for the interview. However she refused to stay alone with a baby. So we eventually decided to all go together for the interview. The D-day arrived and we three, me, my little son and cousin bundled up in the taxi and landed outside the doctor's cabin for the interview. My turn came, the interview went well and I secured the job. Many months passed and as I had to move on to do  superspecialisation, I resigned from the job. The department gave me a warm farewell, and it was then that the lady doctor who was on my interview panel spoke to me candidly. 'You know, I saw you out...
Post a Comment
Read more