Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Statistics of the American Cancer Society states each year more than 254,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Thirty years ago women only had a choice of wearing prosthesis in their bra after a mastectomy. Modern progress in reconstructive surgery offer breast cancer patients more alternatives nowadays than they ever had before.

This essay will provide information on: what is breast reconstruction, types of breast reconstruction, mastectomy vs. lumpectomy, why or why not consider breast reconstruction, immediate or delayed reconstruction surgery, how does it work, breast implants, possible complications, disadvantages and advantages. Thirty years ago women only had a choice of wearing prosthesis in their bra after a mastectomy. Today there are many more choices. Not every woman feels the need for breast reconstruction, however, many women consider it to be a "must have" after their healing process.

Reconstruction of a breast is a surgical procedure performed when women have one or both breast already removed, which is called a mastectomy. After a mastectomy, a woman's chest wall will be flat where the breast was removed. A woman's breast can be rebuilt by opting to have a prosthesis, which is an artificial breast that is worn in a custom made bra, or through reconstructive surgery. The form of the breast can be rebuilt, on the other hand, by putting an artificial breast form (prosthesis) in a custom made bra or through reconstructive surgery (Sutter Health, 2011.) Women have the option of using their own tissue for rebuilding their breast, or having artificial breast implants performed by a plastic surgeon. Doctors will recommend that women with certain health conditions such as hypertension, smoking or obesity prolong the reconstruction for a later time.

At most academic centers that routinely care for women with breast cancer, immediate breast "reconstruction is the norm for women who opt for mastectomy," said Richard Bold, associate professor of surgical oncology at UC Davis Cancer Center and senior author of the study. Bold goes on to say that a number of patients come to him and his colleagues stating they were told by other doctor's, election of immediate reconstruction was not an option for them because it delays chemotherapy.

According to Bold (2004), 'breast reconstruction has been shown to lessen the impact of mastectomy on a woman's self-image and psychosocial well-being; these benefits are more pronounced when reconstruction is performed at the time of mastectomy rather than in a later surgery. However, some surgeons -- concerned about skin infections and other wound complications that might delay chemotherapy -- advise women to postpone reconstruction. Chemotherapy is typically initiated four to six weeks after mastectomy. Longer delays may increase the risk of cancer recurrence or jeopardize survival. Because chemotherapy drugs can slow