Reconstruction may help physical, emotional breast cancer recovery

Choosing to have reconstruction after breast removal may help patients take positive control of their breast cancer diagnosis and begin the emotional healing process, say plastic surgeons at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

 

“Our research has shown there is a significant implication that the life of the breast cancer patient improves after breast reconstruction,” said Dr Lior Heller, associate professor in the Center for Aesthetic Surgery at BCM. “Breast cancer patients come to us very distressed and terrified of the unknown. When we teach them about their options for reconstruction, they feel in control of the diagnosis and feel that they are a partner in the treatment.”

 

A woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer may be overwhelmed with unfamiliar information and faced with tough choices about her course of treatment. Reconstruction is a difficult part of treatment, but it is very important that physicians help patients with the difficult decisions through education and an explanation of their options.

 

There are common myths about reconstruction, including the fear that reconstruction may interfere with treatment and cause their oncologist not to detect a recurrence of the cancer. Patients should talk with their plastic surgeon and oncologist about any concerns. The means of reconstruction have improved and women are more comfortable making this decision. It is important for plastic surgeons to educate patients on their reconstruction options and reassure them of their decision. More and more patients are well-informed.

 

“You can see a huge sigh of relief come over the patients after the surgery,” Heller said. “The change in the mood is amazing.”

 

Since 2004, The Patients Advantage is fast becoming the largest matchmaker of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and is recognized as a leading information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery – matching over 6,000 people with plastic surgeons so far in 2008.