Breast Reconstruction: Regaining Your Sense of Sel...
Breast Cancer
Breast Reconstruction: Regaining Your Sense of Self
“Breast reconstruction is a restoration of a woman’s form and her sense of self,” says Dr. Andrea Pusic, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
There are many different options and techniques available for reconstruction – from implants to using a woman’s own tissue – and choices about when to get the reconstruction – meaning immediate (at the time of mastectomy) or delayed (which could be months, or even years later). All these different techniques, are “getting close to that goal of letting a woman be herself again” and putting the cancer behind her, says Dr. Pusic.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
“Breast reconstruction is a restoration of a woman’s form and her sense of self,” says Dr. Andrea Pusic, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
There are many different options and techniques available for reconstruction – from implants to using a woman’s own tissue – and choices about when to get the reconstruction – meaning immediate (at the time of mastectomy) or delayed (which could be months, or even years later). All these different techniques, are “getting close to that goal of letting a woman be herself again” and putting the cancer behind her, says Dr. Pusic.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Treatment: Choosing Your Treatment
Treatment: Early Stages
Treatment: Hormone Treatments
A mastectomy involves removing the breast – a treatment route many patients with breast cancer feel they will have no choice but to undergo. But it’s not the only surgical option.
Treatment: Surgery
A mastectomy involves removing the breast – a treatment route many patients with breast cancer feel they will have no choice but to undergo. But it’s not the only surgical option.
Treatment: Explaining the Options
For patients who do have to have their breasts or a piece of their breasts removed, there are a number of surgical reconstruction options available.
Treatment: Reconstruction
For patients who do have to have their breasts or a piece of their breasts removed, there are a number of surgical reconstruction options available.
Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that can occur after breast cancer surgery and radiation.
Treatment: Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that can occur after breast cancer surgery and radiation.