MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'breast reconstruction'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:23:43 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096282&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F00YvPBcMlds%2Ftiming-of-radiotherapy-in-implant-based.html This study demonstrated that a higher total failure rate affects breast reconstructions that undergo irradiation during tissue expansion. For this reason, we suggest that if tissue expansion can be performed during postoperative chemotherapy, chest wall irradiation should be delivered on permanent implants. The second surgical step can be scheduled 3 weeks after the end of chemotherapy, and the irradiation should not begin more than 3 weeks later. Patients whose need for radiotherapy is not known preoperatively can, in this way, improve their surgical outcome.         REFERENCES Outcome of Different Timings of Radiotherapy in Implant-Based Breast Reconstructions; Nava, Maurizio B.; Pennati, Angela E.; Lozza, Laura; Spano, Andrea; Zambetti, Milvia; Catanuto, Giuseppe; P... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096282 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:15:00 +0100 5096282 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029035&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FAQO_1GKh8VE%2Fbreast-reconstruction-makes-breast.html Alarmingly, 70% of American women facing surgery for breast cancer are not told about the option of breast reconstruction. Perhaps one of the best things about breast reconstruction is that it can be performed at any time….  you can never “miss the boat” so to speak. Regardless of the timing of the procedure, breast reconstruction enables women to feel whole again, not just physically but also emotionally. There are several reconstructive options ranging from breast implants to using the patient’s own tissue. Tissue (or “flap”) procedures recreate a “natural”, warm, soft breast and are associated with fewer complications than breast implants. Breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy ("immediate reconstruction") or any time after mast... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029035 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:13:22 +0100 5029035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968553&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2F1a2yYKT2U04%2Ffda-updates-safety-data-for-silicone.html Yesterday, the FDA published this press release:  FDA provides updated safety data on silicone gel-filled breast implants In November 2006, the FDA approved silicone gel-filled breast implants for breast augmentation in women over age 22 and for breast reconstruction in all women.  This latest report includes preliminary safety data from post-approval studies conducted by each of the two breast implant manufacturers (Allergan and Mentor), a summary and analysis of adverse events received over the years by the FDA, and a comprehensive review and analysis of recent scientific publications that discuss the safety and effectiveness of silicone gel-filled breast implants. Based on the report, women should know: Breast implants are not lifetime devices. The longer a woman has silic... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968553 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:01:00 +0100 4968553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934731&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fback-to-bra-shopping-to-fit-new-breasts%2F Now that my revised, reconstructed breasts are settling down, I once again need a new bra. I have learned through my transformation that shopping for a bra is a real task. The one black lace bra that worked in the past no longer fits my new breasts, and most of the bras I have tried on lately just don’t work either. It wasn’t until I had breast cancer that I learned how important a properly fitted bra is. First, I needed a good sturdy bra when I was using just a molded prosthesis for the first breast I lost. Then after the initial reconstruction surgery, I didn’t need as much support, but I needed a bra that would give me the shape I wanted. Now I need a new bra that has the right amount of coverage and can show off the cleavage without pushing my breasts together. What I really ne... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934731 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:39:16 +0100 4934731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862842&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprma-enhance.com%2Fdocuments%2FACS%2520Air%2520Miles%2520Program.pdf A growing number of breast cancer patients are now choosing to travel for their care, particularly for some of the more advanced breast reconstruction procedures. Insurance may cover the health care expenses but the cost of the hotel and air fare falls on the patient. Now, some patients may qualify for financial assistance to cover these extra expenses thanks to two special programs: Assistance with Air Travel Expenses The American Cancer Society (ACS) Air Miles program is a joint effort between Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA)/National Patient Travel Helpline (NPATH) and the American Cancer Society. The program is designed to help patients with the cost of air fare when traveling for cancer-related treatment. Please call the ACS at (800) 227-2345 to find out if you are eligible for help wit... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862842 Wed, 25 May 2011 01:41:14 +0100 4862842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813614&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fdo-we-need-a-longer-hospital-stay-after-a-mastectomy%2F Even though the scientific evidence shows that women recover just as well at home after a mastectomy, I don’t believe women should be sent home the day after surgery. In the late 1990s, the switch was made to sending women home quickly after surgery to remove a breast. The evidence suggested that women recover just as well at home as in the hospital. Prior to that decision, many women were in the hospital for several days — now it is up to doctors whether to keep a woman longer than the initial day of recovery. They need a medical reason for insurance to pay for the extended hospital stay. But the evidence doesn’t address the emotional impact that breast cancer and losing a breast has on a woman. We especially need time to assess our feelings about losing a breast before returni... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813614 Tue, 10 May 2011 17:00:14 +0100 4813614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789308&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2Fu4R23934B3k%2Fwomen-dont-regret-prophylactic.html I was alerted to the presentation at the American Society of Breast Surgeons meeting (first reference below) by Judy Boughey, MD by @MedicalNews’ tweet: ASBS: Prophylactic Mastectomy Good Even Years Later (CME/CE) http://bit.ly/kMCsdr Boughey and colleagues note that previous researchers using cross-sectional surveys have found that the majority of women are satisfied with their decision to have contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) one to several years after the procedure. Their study chose to look at the consistency of satisfaction and changes in adverse effects in the same women with longer term follow-up. To do this, they surveyed a previously established cohort of women with unilateral breast cancer who had contralateral prophylactic mastectomy at the Mayo Clinic between 19... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789308 Thu, 05 May 2011 11:15:00 +0100 4789308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758777&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FjQVLZDeG5Ww%2Fadvances-in-nipple-sparing-mastectomy.html There is a very nice review article of the advances in nipple-sparing mastectomy surgery in the March 2011 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (full reference below). Dr. Patrick Maxwell and colleagues includes some history of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM): NSM was attempted in the 1980s but never gained popularity owing to the controversies surrounding oncological safety. Now, better technologies for preoperative staging and assessment of lesion distance from the NAC, along with an increased understanding of the anatomy of the breast ducts with relation to the nipple, are encouraging a return to the concept. One of the key publications that renewed and increased enthusiasm for this technique was the multicenter publication of 192 patients undergoing NSM with only four recurrences, ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758777 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:14:00 +0100 4758777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642912&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Ffinishing-the-fight-against-breast-cancer%2F I have been writing this blog for 5 years now and last week was the first week that I missed posting one. I think I finally crashed and burned. Not from writing the blog — this is something I love — but from trying to be superwoman. I had follow-up reconstructive surgery a week ago last Thursday, and Friday I was right back to business. By Monday I was feeling the fatigue that comes after surgery, which I could have avoided by resting Friday and Saturday. I stumbled through the rest of the week barely accomplishing anything. Generally I bounce back quickly from surgery. I need at least a day of rest after, but I didn’t give myself that privilege this time. I am always encouraging breast cancer survivors to take their time healing and to give themselves as much time and spac... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642912 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:39:16 +0100 4642912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610957&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fget-the-best-reconstructive-surgery-for-you%2F I am so grateful that Dr. Rebecca Studinger began her practice in Michigan. Yesterday I had another breast revision surgery and fat grafting. Fat grafting is actually liposuction; Dr. Studinger took fat from another part of my body — not hard to find — and put it into my breasts to get the right size. The best thing about this wonderful doctor is that she is not only highly trained, skilled, and talented, but is willing to work with me patiently to ensure I get the results I want. Her vision for women after breast cancer matches our own. We desire natural looking breasts as close to the real thing as possible and Dr. Studinger is one doctor who can make that happen. My surgeries with her have been like a spa experience — she is that good. My doctors at Johns Hopkins were... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610957 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:48:02 +0100 4610957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592638&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fdont-be-bullied-into-treatment-youre-not-comfortable-with%2F .If you have ever been bullied, you know that you don’t realize it at first. Initially, people tend to blame themselves for how others treat them. I was bullied as a child by a group of girls, and I can tell you that your first instinct is to think it is your fault. As a new student in a new school, I was ostracized for the first few months. At eight years old, school was my whole life, so you can imagine how much the rejection of the other students affected me. It took me well into adulthood to find it easy to make new friends. Of course I am over it now, but it had a long-lasting effect. As adults we don’t call it bullying, we call it intimidating. Often we admire people who can intimidate others, regardless of the outcome. Perhaps that is why bullying has becoming epidemic among chi... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592638 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:35:31 +0100 4592638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4566298&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fkeep-copies-of-your-medical-records%2F I have a huge file with all the test results and pathology reports that pertain to my breast cancer. It was helpful for a while, especially when I met with the genetics counselor and the surgeons who did my reconstructive surgery. I even had my bone scans and x-rays for a while, when I carried them with me to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore to discuss prophylactic mastectomy and DIEP flap surgery. It was my oncologist’s secretary who carefully copied every test and made sure to give it to me as I left each office visit. She suggested I keep it nearby since it could prove helpful to have. Now it is just a huge file taking up room in my file cabinet. I seldom if ever look at it anymore, and it seems almost obsolete since losing both of my breasts. Truthfully though, just knowing that I have acc... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4566298 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:26:17 +0100 4566298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565906&cid=t_171608_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbreast-reconstruction-after-mastectomy-are-patients-making-good-decisions%2F2011.03.09 The objective of the study was to “measure women’s knowledge about reconstruction and to evaluate the degree to which treatments reflected patients’ goals and preferences.” Their conclusion (bold emphasis is mine): Women treated with mastectomy in this study were not well-informed about breast reconstruction. Treatments were associated with patients’ goals and concerns, however, and patients were highly involved in their decisions. Knowledge deficits suggest that breast cancer patients would benefit from interventions to support their decision making. Granted the study was small, but it left me wondering if we the medical community fails to educate these women.   The study involved a cross-sectional survey of early-stage breast cancer survivors from four university ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565906 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:30:00 +0100 4565906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560523&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FUHYPvf6umVY%2Fquestions-to-ask-your-diep-flap-surgeon.html If you are considering DIEP flap breast reconstruction finding the right surgical team is key. Before choosing a DIEP flap surgeon be sure to ask the following questions: Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Your surgeon should be a board certified plastic surgeon. Do you have extensive experience with this type of surgery - How many have you performed? Preferably your surgeon will have performed over 100 DIEP flap procedures. What's your success rate? Top specialist centers boast a success rate of at least 98%. How long does the surgery take? This will vary between institutions based on experience. The most experienced surgeons typically take between 3-6 hours depending on whether one or both breast are being reconstructed (not including the mastectomies). How often... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560523 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:23:58 +0100 4560523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4527759&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FcTLG5-Lp0Gs%2Fare-patients-making-good-decisions.html The objective of the study was to “measure women's knowledge about reconstruction and to evaluate the degree to which treatments reflected patients' goals and preferences.” Their conclusion (bold emphasis is mine): Women treated with mastectomy in this study were not well-informed about breast reconstruction. Treatments were associated with patients' goals and concerns, however, and patients were highly involved in their decisions. Knowledge deficits suggest that breast cancer patients would benefit from interventions to support their decision making. Granted the study was small, but it left me wondering if we the medical community fails to educate these women.   The study involved a cross-sectional survey of early-stage breast cancer survivors from four university medic... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4527759 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:15:00 +0100 4527759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429178&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FMHQlFQBaU2Y%2Ftexas-bill-mandates-breast.html Currently only 30% of breast cancer patients are informed of their breast reconstruction options before mastectomy or lumpectomy. New legislation is being proposed in Texas that aims to significantly improve that abysmal statistic for breast cancer patients. Texas House Bill 669 would mandate that doctors inform all breast cancer patients about their breast reconstruction options BEFORE having surgery for breast cancer. The bill was drafted based on similar legislation in the state of New York. PRMA Plastic Surgery is proud to announce that a former patient, Tammy Carrington, is the team leader behind this Bill.  She proactively sought out her state representative, James White, to begin drafting proposals.  The Bill was drafted and submitted January 14, 2011.  If approved,... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429178 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:39:03 +0100 4429178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305067&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FR0rsEzbPJp4%2Fbreast-reconstruction-with-tummy-tissue.html DIEP flap? TRAM flap? SIEA flap? With so many breast reconstruction options available these days it's difficult to understand what these terms really mean and what the differences are between all these "tummy flap" procedures. It is important for women considering these reconstructive options to realize that not all tummy tissue options are created equal. For example, a DIEP flap is not the same as a TRAM flap just because both provide the benefit of a tummy tuck. Many women are now rejecting breast implants preferring to use their own abdominal tissue for reconstruction after mastectomy. A breast that has been reconstructed with the patient's own tissue typically looks and feels more natural than an implant reconstruction, will last longer without the long-term complications that can be... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305067 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:09:00 +0100 4305067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253404&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2Fa-27c_AIbfo%2Ftravelling-for-breast-reconstruction.html Great news! Well, to be honest, it's not really "news" anymore since it happened a few of months ago but I have come across several patients that didn't know about this so I thought I'd post about it.... PRMA Plastic Surgery and several San Antonio hotels have partnered with the American Cancer Society to offset travel expenses for breast cancer patients travelling to PRMA for their breast reconstruction. Accommodation is now provided at either significantly reduced rates or at no charge on a space-available basis. This program is for patients who are having surgery at least 50 miles from their home. One caregiver is also welcome to travel with the patient. The program only applies to lodging Monday through Thursday (so weekends are NOT included). You also need to give advanced notice..... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253404 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:10:57 +0100 4253404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249058&cid=t_171608_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbreast-implants-under-local-anesthesia%2F2010.12.10 Reader question: A surgeon I’m thinking about seeing said on his website that breast implants were able to be done under local + intravenous anesthetic (like twilight). Can this really be done? I always thought it was too invasive for just twilight, especially if it is under the muscle. Is there an advantage to using twilight? After looking it up, there are lots of differing opinions out there, but I think that this may just be a way for the surgeon to cut costs. What is the cosmetic surgery truth here, Dr. D? I am not a fan of local anesthesia or twilight sleep for breast implant surgery except in rare cases (simple redos and such). The reasons are patient comfort and practicality. I place most of my breast implants under the pectoral muscles, and these muscles need to be relaxed for th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249058 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:00:25 +0100 4249058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190208&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FWU2DY-YNwLo%2Frisks-of-fat-grafting-in-breast-cancer.html Fat grafting as a means of either (cosmetically) enlarging breasts or (reconstructively) correcting defects / asymmetries after breast cancer surgery/radiation therapy has been gaining ground as an acceptable method in the past few years.  True, much debate is still occurring but research is being encouraged to answer questions regarding safety (short and long-term) and efficacy. The two articles (full references below) from researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests that it is NOT safe to use adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) that may be part of fat grafting in any patient with active tumor cells.  From the first article’s abstract (bold emphasis is mine): Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been proposed to stabilize autologous fat grafts fo... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190208 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:15:00 +0100 4190208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179352&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FPI6gmu2-Rb0%2Fsaline-or-silicone.html This study wasn’t planned to discern those answers though it did note that the addition of radiation to the mix lowered the satisfaction scores.   The article by Scott Spear, MD is a wonderful review of the pros and cons of each.  It is well worth reading.  He summarizes at the end of his article: As implant choices have evolved, certain concepts have proven useful. When the main determinant for patient satisfaction is the shape and feel of the implant (and in cases where the implant might be especially visible), a silicone gel implant is the better choice. In cases where the primary concerns are safety (real or perceived), minimal access incisions, and ease of monitoring, saline may prove to be a better choice.     Related posts Patient Satisfaction Following... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179352 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:14:00 +0100 4179352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4163027&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbreast-cancer-you-either-get-it-or-you-dont%2F I can’t remember what it felt like to have real breasts. Even though I am thrilled with the results of my recent breast reconstruction revisions, I am questioning if I will ever be truly a whole woman again. I just don’t feel normal — I feel like a breast cancer survivor — and putting a new set of breasts on my chest doesn’t make me feel like I used to. If anything, I feel even less normal. To be honest, I don’t usually think this way. These sentiments are all coming out of an experience I had a couple of days ago. I made the mistake of explaining the DIEP flap surgery I had to reconstruct my breasts to a woman that had never been through breast cancer. I have always been excited about the procedure and the results from the surgery that took my excess tummy fat and made a pair ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4163027 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:48:52 +0100 4163027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119027&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FILHR3W61RBc%2Ffiorinas-infection-highlights.html The news report of California Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Carly Fiorina’s recent hospitalization due to an infection related to her breast reconstruction is an opportunity to talk about the risks of complication associated with breast reconstruction surgery. Fiorina was diagnosed with breast cancer diagnosis in February 2009.  She was treated with chemotherapy, radiation and a double mastectomy.  I found several articles that note she had her reconstructive surgery at Stanford University Medical Center, the San Jose (Calif.) in July 2010, but none mention the reconstruction technique used. My guess would be implant based reconstruction considering how quickly she returned to campaigning.  Recovery time for a TRAM flap (free or pedicle) or any other flap based reconstr... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119027 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:15:00 +0100 4119027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077523&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FmLnLA07XVXE%2Fbreast-reconstruction-timing-immediate.html With so much to think about after a breast cancer diagnosis, many patients facing mastectomy do not fully understand how the timing of breast reconstruction influences how the reconstructed breasts will ultimately look. Breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy ("immediate reconstruction") or a while after mastectomy ("delayed reconstruction"). When the mastectomy and reconstruction are performed at the same time, a skin-sparing mastectomy can usually be performed which saves the majority of the natural breast skin envelope (except for the nipple and areola). Only the actual breast tissue under the skin is removed. The reconstruction then "fills" this empty skin envelope. In some select cases nipple-sparing mastectomy can be performed. This preserves the n... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077523 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:56:43 +0100 4077523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003392&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fsurgical-solutions-for-lymphedema%2F I am so happy with the results of my recent DIEP flap revision. Dr. Studinger is detailed and very attentive, and I am so fortunate to have found her. She does other plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures as well. I had the opportunity to discuss lymph node surgery with her when I had my follow-up appointment last week. Until I read her brochure, I didn’t even know that there was relief for lymphedema through surgery. Dr. Studinger is one of only a few doctors worldwide who perform successful surgery for lymph node reconstruction in the treatment of lymphedema. Every now and then I sense a little numbness in my right arm. Generally it is around the elbow and radiates to the upper arm. I know that it is because I had lymph nodes removed when I had a mastectomy of the right breast. ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003392 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:13:16 +0100 4003392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994250&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fv%2F454279984461 breast cancer reconstruction, breast reconstruction, breast reconstruction surgery, breast cancer, diep flap, after mastectomy, chrysopoulo, PRMA plastic surgery (Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog) Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994250 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:04:29 +0100 3994250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3973079&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbecoming-a-gem-after-breast-cancer%2F When we got engaged, my husband gave me an emerald ring. It is truly beautiful. The ring has a large baguette emerald with diamonds. The thing about emeralds is that it is hard to find one without inclusions. Inclusions in emeralds are called gardens, and the gardens are what make each emerald unique. If a diamond has an inclusion, it would be called a flaw. It is all a matter of perspective. I have had to learn to accept a few flaws after breast cancer, including scars and weight gain. Even after breast reconstruction, the flaws are pretty apparent. I will never be as perfect as I was before breast cancer, but believe me, I didn’t think of myself as perfect then. Only after I was sliced and transformed by breast cancer did I look back and think I took myself, and especially my smooth sk... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3973079 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:49:02 +0100 3973079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933233&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbonding-over-surgery-with-other-breast-cancer-survivors%2F I went to a follow-up appointment with my doctor for the reconstructive surgery I had a few weeks ago. I am still very concerned about everything healing up with minimal scarring, so I am taping the scars while they heal and being careful not to get anything near the wounds. It is such a task. Anyway, while I was in the waiting room I got to meet another woman who was considering DIEP flap surgery and was there to consult with my doctor. Speaking to her reminded me of what a huge decision breast reconstruction is — not getting the breasts, but settling on the type of surgery. There are still far fewer doctors performing a DIEP flap than there are who do implant surgery or TRAM flap. While each surgery has its benefits, I chose DIEP flap as it seemed to have the best outcome. For example,... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933233 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:39:03 +0100 3933233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924930&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FK0X-mHTco20%2Finfected-or-exposed-breast-prosthesis.html Discussion: Management of the Infected or Exposed Breast Prosthesis: A Single Surgeon's 15-Year Experience with 69 Patients; Hammond, Dennis C.; Plast Reconstr Surg.125(4):1085-1086, April 2010; doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181d18289 The infected or exposed breast implant: Management and treatment strategies; Spear SL, Howard MA, Boehmler JH, Ducic I, Low M, Abbruzzesse MR.;  Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;113:1634–1644. (Source: Suture for a Living) Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924930 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:18:00 +0100 3924930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3915058&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FEXX1ungsoM0%2Fpreference-for-scar-location.html This study has addressed scar and contour issues related to the latissimus dorsi flap, provided data to support the conclusions, and provided a mechanism to improve outcomes. REFERENCES Breast Reconstruction with the Latissimus Dorsi Flap: Women's Preference for Scar Location; Bailey, S; Saint-Cyr, M; Zhang, K; Mojallal, A; Wong, C; Ouyang, Da; Maia, M; Zhang, S; Rohrich, R J.; Plastic & Reconstr Surgery. 126(2):358-365, August 2010, doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181de1b41 Discussion: Breast Reconstruction with the Latissimus Dorsi Flap: Women's Preference for Scar Location; Nahabedian, Maurice Y; Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 126(2):366, August 2010; doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181de1963 (Source: Suture for a Living) Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3915058 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:15:00 +0100 3915058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3911699&cid=t_171608_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fanother-law-to-ensure-doctors-do-right-by-their-patients%2F2010.08.27 Recently the [state of] New York signed a law requiring hospitals and doctors to discuss breast reconstruction options with the patient prior to her undergoing cancer surgery. It troubled me that this law was needed. Is it not the duty of the physicians and surgeons to educate the patient on the options available?  We need to make sure the patient and their family know of the treatment options which may vary depending on the diagnosis and stage: Radiation, chemotherapy, surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy, axillary dissection) – a combination of treatments. Even if the patient and her physicians don’t chose to do immediate reconstruction, isn’t the discussion and information part of the discussion? At least inform the patient of the option. Do we physicians and surgeons need an... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3911699 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3911699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3902934&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FbBXT4IdTpxA%2Fwomens-health-and-cancer-rights-act-of.html Discussion on Options; New York Times article, August 18, 2010; Anemona Hartocollis “Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998’’ Summary; American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons website Your Rights After A Mastectomy...Women's Health & Cancer Rights Act of 1998; Department of Labor (Source: Suture for a Living) Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3902934 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:14:00 +0100 3902934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3896057&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fa-few-complaints-after-surgery%2F Now I remember why I put off the surgery to fix my reconstructed breasts — healing after surgery is no fun! I feel okay, but I can’t get the sutures wet while I’m healing, so I can’t go swimming and I can’t even go outside because I’ll sweat too much. My body is having a reaction to the surgical tape, and one little spot is red and getting infected. It just sucks. The only good thing is that this time I didn’t come home with any drains attached to my body. After every surgery I usually go home with the drains, and the last time I had to keep them for almost two weeks. I’ll say it again: healing isn’t fun. I bounce back quicker than most people, but I still need to whine a little about the discomfort and limited activity due to the surgery. Because I am a little swollen ar... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3896057 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:55:52 +0100 3896057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889270&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fdealing-with-the-scars-from-breast-cancer%2F Recently I was invited to do a guest blog on a site that produces and sells cream for people dealing with the effects of radiation treatment on their skin, including to the breast area. They provide a blog and tip site that provides encouragement to survivors of all kinds of disease; they just happened to find my blog and thought I would be a good fit. I am often asked to write guest blogs for other sites. I love these invitations because I get to find out about efforts towards breast cancer awareness and research. I also find all sorts of new resources. I don’t endorse any products and generally no one asks me to. If I have written about a specific product or company, it is because somehow these organizations provide support to breast cancer research and survivors. I found out that Jean... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889270 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:34:58 +0100 3889270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885516&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FL4wFXFOKP_Q%2Ftram-flap-vs-diep-flap-whats-difference.html Up until a few years ago, the TRAM flap was the gold standard in breast reconstruction after mastectomy. The TRAM has now been surpassed by the DIEP flap for that honor. For patient's researching their reconstructive options after mastectomy, it is important to understand the concept of TRAM surgery and how it has evolved into today's cutting edge DIEP procedure. There are three main forms of the TRAM flap operation commonly performed by plastic surgeons: 1) The Pedicled TRAM flap: this was the first operation to describe use of one of the rectus abdominus muscles (sit-up muscle) for breast reconstruction. The surgery begins with an incision from hip to hip. Then, the lower abdominal tissue below the belly button (skin, fat and one of the abdominal muscles) is tunneled under the upper ab... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885516 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:37:57 +0100 3885516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880782&cid=t_171608_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fyork-state-mandating-dialogue-breast-surgeons-patients%2F New York Governor David Paterson has signed a law that mandates that breast surgeons discuss the option of breast reconstruction with patients having mastectomy and provide a referral to an outside facility if need be. The legislation was spearheaded by Dr. Evan Garfein of Montefiore Medical Center. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880782 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:32:01 +0100 3880782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872715&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fwe-deserve-to-be-restored-after-breast-cancer%2F I was recovering from surgery this past weekend. On Thursday, I had reconstructive cosmetic surgery to tweak my breasts. The original plan was that I would be in surgery for one to two hours and then head home late Thursday afternoon. Surgery actually took almost four hours. The doctor told Sister, who had come from Toronto to spend the day with me at the hospital, that she took some extra time to fix my abdominal scar. This included tailoring the dog ears on each side of the scar left from my original DIEP flap surgery. I was thrilled to learn that in addition to adjusting the size and shape of my breasts, the surgery had repaired the scar along my abdomen and those unsightly puckers on each side of the scar. I decided to stay in the hospital overnight, and I am so glad I did. I didn’t ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872715 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:01:55 +0100 3872715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798754&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fgetting-the-best-breasts-possible%2F I had a great doctor’s appointment last week. I got to tell my plastic surgeon how I wanted my redesigned breasts to look. Dr. Studinger is an amazing, patient, and understanding doctor. She is really skilled in the DIEP flap breast reconstruction procedure and committed to helping me get the best possible results from the touch-ups I want. Although I had two surgeries to reconstruct my breasts, I still need to finalize the shape and size of my breasts; one breast is a little bigger than the other. This is in part because one breast was reconstructed from a prophylactic mastectomy, while the other was removed with cancer and my surgeon did not want to leave much skin that could harbor cancer cells. One thing Dr. Studinger reviewed with me the fact that under law, insurance is required to... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798754 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:25:37 +0100 3798754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767271&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fin-search-of-a-tattoo-artist%2F The next big thing coming up for me is additional surgery to finish my breast reconstruction. I delayed getting touch-ups and nipples for various reasons, but that didn’t diminish my desire for more attractive and normal breasts. I have been lucky though because I did work initially with great surgeons at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and really have a well-placed and wonderful-looking set. Along with putting off the final cosmetic surgery, I have put off thinking about the nipple construction and tattooing that generally accompanies the finishing touches. So recently I have been searching out websites and other material to learn how this is done. Surprisingly, there are a number of ways to get new nipples and areolas. Nipple reconstruction by most surgeons is done by cutting the skin in th... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767271 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:28:43 +0100 3767271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767277&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FJSl7sQEK-54%2Fare-you-diep-flap-candidate.html The DIEP flap procedure has rapidly become the "gold standard" in breast reconstruction today. While not every woman is a candidate for DIEP flap surgery, many are turned away when in fact they needn't be. The most common areas of confusion include: 1) Previous Abdominal Surgery While some types of previous abdominal surgery can make the DIEP flap procedure impossible to perform, most of the time previous abdominal surgery really isn't an issue. Many women these days have had a previous c-section or hysterectomy. It is possible for these procedures to cause damage to the blood vessels needed for DIEP flap surgery, but this is rare. A previous c-section, hysterectomy, or tubal ligation is not a contra-indication to having the procedure. If your surgeon is worried about potential damage... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767277 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:24:42 +0100 3767277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733249&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fempowered-to-decide-for-breast-reconstruction-or-against%2F Surgery for my touch-up breast reconstruction is planned for August, so I am scheduled to see the doctor in a few weeks to discuss the changes I want. This surgery is exciting to me, but I waited a long time to have it. I had the original DIEP flap surgery in 2006, then the follow-up in March 2007 — since then I haven’t had any additional work, cosmetic or otherwise, on my breasts. When you take into account the fact that it took me almost 13 years to grow the first set, it doesn’t seem like this new set is really taking that long to perfect. Breast cancer survivors get to do what a lot of women wish they could — get a new set of designer boobs. It is a hollow triumph, really, when you realize what we had to go through to earn them. But if you can get past the horror of the dia... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733249 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:00:16 +0100 3733249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714394&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbreast-obsessed-after-breast-cancer%2F I have become a boob person. I am obsessed with breasts! I catch myself staring at women’s chests all the time. It is easy to find a pair to look at these days, with all the skimpy summer tops and t-shirts exposing cleavage. I wasn’t always like this. Before I had breast cancer, boobs weren’t a big deal. After my mastectomy, my interest began to grow, and I became fully obsessed while I was deciding on reconstruction. The only other time I developed a minor obsession was when I was 13 years old and my first set wasn’t growing as fast as those of my classmates. This is also similar to when I was bald during chemotherapy and I became obsessed with hair, especially blonde hair. Fortunately, I have more to do in my life than stare at women’s bodies, but when the opportunity arise... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714394 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:54:49 +0100 3714394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635846&cid=t_171608_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FMZ46hzm0QvQ%2Fpatient-satisfaction-following-breast.html This study used these two questionnaires to evaluate patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life following alloplastic (implant) breast reconstruction and more specifically if the type of implant used (saline versus silicone) has an effect on health-related quality of life. A chart review of University of British Columbia patients was performed, compiling data on the following demographic features: type of breast cancer, unilateral versus bilateral reconstruction, history of radiation or chemotherapy, complications, type of implant, follow-up time, age at second stage, timing of reconstruction, and comorbidities. A total of 280 patients were identified. Sixteen patients were deceased and 17 patients had noncurrent addresses (neither responders nor nonresponders).  Out of ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635846 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:01:00 +0100 3635846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585795&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FSDChRnM7Yhc%2Fself-breast-exam-why-its-important-and.html From their 20's onwards, women should know how their breasts look and feel normally and report any breast changes to their doctor as soon as they are found. Finding something new does not necessarily mean there is anything to worry about, but it is important to get any breast changes checked out. Women are more likely to notice changes by performing a routine (say monthly), step-by-step approach to examining their breasts (see below). The best time for a woman to examine her breasts is when the breasts are not tender or swollen. Women who examine their breasts should have their technique reviewed during their periodic health exams by their health care professional. Women with breast implants can still also do BSE. Breast implants can actually push out the breast tissue... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585795 Fri, 21 May 2010 13:54:12 +0100 3585795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560443&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fsomething-is-missing-from-my-reconstructed-breasts%2F A breast without a nipple is like a car without an engine — it is beautiful to look at but you can’t turn it on! I miss my real nipples. Talking to several women at the BRCA conference I attended in Toronto, many of them had the same lament. Regardless of the reconstructive procedure, we all miss the sensation we used to get from our nipples. I can’t conjure up that same feeling, and I have to honestly say sex is not the same. It is still great, don’t get me wrong, but that special effect that came from sensitive breasts is — well, regretfully gone. I have tried to view all the new changes to my body and psyche that came from breast cancer with curiosity. It compels me to research and study the effects of surgery and the drugs on my body and mind. I find it interesting ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560443 Wed, 12 May 2010 19:14:34 +0100 3560443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552510&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FY0f6m7CWOLc%2Fhow-much-does-breast-reconstruction.html The two most common questions among breast cancer patients considering breast reconstruction are "how much does breast reconstruction cost?" and "will my insurance cover it?". The good news is that even though breast reconstruction is performed by plastic surgeons, it is NOT considered cosmetic surgery. If the mastectomy is for breast cancer then the law states it must be covered by insurance. If the mastectomy is covered, the reconstruction will be too. The bad news is that even though insurance covers breast reconstruction, there are still some costs that the patient will be responsible for. Patients much research this ahead of time to limit the risk of a nasty financial surprise down the line. While the degree of coverage varies based on the insurance plan, there are some things that ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552510 Tue, 11 May 2010 01:30:43 +0100 3552510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529967&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbreast-cancer-across-the-border%2F I am in Canada visiting with family this week while waiting to attend the breast cancer conference with Sister on Wednesday in Toronto. While lounging at Sister’s this weekend, I picked up a magazine from the stack under her coffee table. It was one of Canada’s premier women’s magazines, Chatelaine. I love this magazine — my mother used to buy me a subscription every year when I lived here. As far back as I remember, Chatelaine addressed breast cancer. They would have a supplemental section a couple of times a year for Look Good, Feel Better, the Canadian Cancer Society’s self-esteem program for women going through breast cancer treatment. Actually, when I was in my twenties I questioned why they would keep reminding women that they could get breast cancer — now I applaud t... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529967 Mon, 03 May 2010 19:59:12 +0100 3529967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3404094&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbreasts-get-good-ratings-and-an-uncomfortable-viewer%2F Like a lot of people in America, I tuned in to watch Dancing with the Stars Monday night. It was the premiere for the new season and a new celebrity cast. It’s really fun to watch actually. Every season I notice the outfits become more risqué and the show becomes a little less family oriented. This new season is no exception. One thing that is pretty obvious, well a lot of things actually, is the women’s breasts. I don’t know if it is intentional to show the jiggle, or if it is just because breasts get good ratings. All I know is you can’t miss them.  Maybe America’ fascination with breasts is what makes losing one to breast cancer especially difficult. I don’t want to suggest that losing a body part and battling a terrifying disease as not difficult, but losing a breast real... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3404094 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:19:08 +0100 3404094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338406&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FVR4siiHP4KM%2Ftammys-breast-reconstruction-journey.html By Tammy Carrington After deciding to pursue immediate breast reconstruction I went online and requested information from the PRMA website on a Saturday. By Monday morning Mistie (the nurse) called me back to see what information I needed. She was so kind and nice. She really listened to what I was saying and took my medical information and then verified my insurance. After I gave Mistie my medical information, the ball started rolling in the right direction. Mistie spoke with Dr. Chrysopoulo directly about my case and an appointment was scheduled. Once I met him I had an incredible peace about the whole thing. I knew that I found the right doctor and the right place to have my surgery. When I arrived for my initial appointment, Dr. Chrysopoulo made me feel at ease immediately. He was ki... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338406 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:49:51 +0100 3338406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208631&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FXBrMf3nIj-c%2Fbreast-reconstruction-surgery-options.html Every woman has a right to breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer. This has been a federal mandate for some time and insurance companies have to pay for breast reconstruction surgery by law. There is no age limitation for breast reconstruction and there are many different options available. "Immediate" breast reconstruction is performed at the same time as the mastectomy. Advantages include: preserving most of the patient's breast skin, a shorter/less obvious mastectomy scar and waking up with the new breast already in place (and avoiding the experience of a flat chest). It also generally provides the best cosmetic results particularly when combined with nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy.

 "Delayed" reconstruction generally takes place after the mastectomy has hea... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208631 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:04:41 +0100 3208631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200629&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbuying-shoes-to-get-through-chemo%2F I have decided that I need a pair of red patent leather high heel pumps with a platform. I saw them somewhere a couple of weeks ago and they keep creeping into my thoughts. I have a real weakness for shoes. This doesn’t make me unique as a woman, shoes have a real appeal for most of us. These shoes are pretty sensational though, they are shiny and the perfect shade of tomato red and have at least a four inch heel. I picture them with a skinny pair of jeans (I was envisioning when I was skinnier). Truthfully I didn’t buy them because I sensed they would end up with the rest of my collection of shoes, many of which are still new and in the box. OK, I confess, I am obsessed with shoes and have a very weird relationship with them. They make me happy! Before I had the second surgery... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200629 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:02:09 +0100 3200629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124680&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=39013&url=http%3A%2F%2Fironictwistoffate.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Ffinally.html I've been waiting since July to post something on this blog - waiting for a conclusion or an "end" to my breast cancer journey - and finally I received a phone call a few weeks ago that I was approved for the "compassionate use" of breast implants that were part of a clinical trial. My doctors and I have been going back and forth several times between the implant company and the FDA since July (something that is normally a 30 day process) and I even had one rejection in October- meaning the FDA wanted even more proof that I needed this surgery. This included wanting proof that breast reconstruction is beneficial psychologically. When I saw this as one of the reasons for my "rejection," I was floored - and thought it was a slap in the face to myself and breast cancer survivors. While I've b... Ironic Twist of Fate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124680 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:52:00 +0100 3124680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084936&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prma-enhance.com%2Fdocuments%2FDrC_Blog_Talk_Radio_Interview.mp3 by Tammy Carrington After getting over the shock of hearing the “C” word, I began my quest for knowledge. I went into research mode, reading and devouring everything I could lay my hands on. I literally spent the next 30 days reading and gathering all the information that I could find. I found it almost impossible to sleep (getting maybe 2-3 hours sleep each night) because I knew I needed to gather the information to make the “right” decision because I have a special needs child who relies on me. I spoke to many other women both in person and in online in some of the breast cancer forums. I found myself on the PRMA website many times during my search for information and I was impressed with the amount of information there. I discovered that Dr. Chrysopoulo had written a great ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084936 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:09:07 +0100 3084936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012591&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FivJfga5eg24%2Fgrow-breasts-from-fat-future-of-breast.html A new form of breast reconstruction that allows women to re-grow breasts from their own fat cells after a mastectomy could be offered to British and Australian breast cancer patients for the first time in 2010. A human trial of the new technique is being planned by plastic surgeons at a London hospital. The trial will study whether fat cells can be induced to multiply and fill a breast-shaped mold implanted under the chest skin to recreate a breast after mastectomy. Australian scientists also recently announced that they would start similar treatments on women within six months, following animal studies involving mice and pigs that successfully re-grew breasts from fat. If the human trials are as successful, this new technique could transform breast reconstruction surgery,... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012591 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:39:12 +0100 3012591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995996&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FivJfga5eg24%2Fgrow-breasts-from-fat-future-of-breast.html A new form of breast reconstruction that allows women to re-grow breasts from their own fat cells after a mastectomy could be offered to British and Australian breast cancer patients for the first time in 2010. A human trial of the new technique is being planned by plastic surgeons at a London hospital. The trial will study whether fat cells can be induced to multiply and fill a breast-shaped mold implanted under the chest skin to recreate a breast after mastectomy. Australian scientists also recently announced that they would start similar treatments on women within six months, following animal studies involving mice and pigs that successfully re-grew breasts from fat. If the human trials are as successful, this new technique could transform breast reconstruction surgery,... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995996 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:21:25 +0100 2995996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2972028&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FYC6JgBkc8EE%2Ftammys-breast-reconstruction-journey.html By Tammy Carrington My name is Tammy and I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) in June 2009. I underwent bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with DIEP flaps. I believe it is important to share my story on how I made my decision because when I was looking for information on other women’s experiences, it was hard to find.  If I can help even one woman feel peaceful about making her own decision, then it was worth it all.  That’s part of this process… reaching out and helping others who are behind us in the journey. My nature is to research things completely so that I can make informed decisions.   I am the mom to a severely brain injured little boy who is now 12 years old and I’ve spent lots of time over the years looking for information ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2972028 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:05:10 +0100 2972028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2970385&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fa-tattoo-to-cover-up-my-chemo-port-scar%2F A real growing trend is tattoos. Remember when you only saw them on sailors? Well if you are my age you do. Anyway, I have been researching tattoos for a paper I am writing for one of the classes I have been taking at the university this fall. It seems they could be dangerous, certainly hard to get rid of, and even a hindrance to success in the work place. Still, more and more people are getting them. As one young person told me; “By the time I make it to management, the CEO will have a tattoo, so my tattoo will be a usual thing.” He is probably right. For anyone that has had breast reconstruction you may have had your areola tattooed onto your new breast. One thing that I have been thinking about getting a tattoo for is my port scar. On the right side of my upper chest the scar that w... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2970385 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:28:57 +0100 2970385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2857563&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbra-shopping-after-breast-cancer-isnt-the-same%2F My favorite bra is black. It’s not my favorite because it’s black or because it has lace or anything like that, it is because I like the way it makes my breasts feel and look in my sweaters. I couldn’t find that bra in another color, so my favorite bra is black. I got my first bra when I was 12 years old, long before I needed one, and ever since I thought bras were so pretty. I loved shopping for lingerie and especially looking at the varieties of colors and styles of bras. Buying intimate apparel used to be a real favorite excursion. Now shopping for lingerie and especially bras is something I avoid. I didn’t realize that until I thought about the fact that my favorite bra is black and that I should look for another one. Then it occurred to me that I wasn’t t... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2857563 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:07:39 +0100 2857563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855806&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F3vw07VfWBpo%2Fbreast-reconstruction-report-i-wanted.html By Lisa BernhardI was 29 years old when my gray-haired surgeon looked at me from across his desk and said, "I'd recommend a mastectomy." My dad, seated to my left, exhaled hard. To my right, my mom sat in silence. Family history had repeated itself: My grandmother underwent a mastectomy at age 39. Now it would be me. But in the four days since my diagnosis, I had researched and stumbled upon a choice my grandmother never had."It's OK," I said to my dad. "They can rebuild me."They did. In one nine-hour procedure, a cancer surgeon performed a skin-sparing mastectomy, removing the nipple and tissue inside my right breast but leaving most of the skin intact. Then a plastic surgeon performed a free-flap reconstruction, extracting a portion of my stomach skin and fat and microscopically reconnec... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855806 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:47:30 +0100 2855806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2725221&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fgenetic-counseling-and-its-influence-on-breast-cancer-decisions%2F Genetic counseling was a choice I made.  I decided to have genetic counseling to determine if I had a genetic predisposition to breast cancer; it was in conjunction with my decision to have reconstructive surgery. My oncologist and I were discussing the options available to reconstruct the breast that had been removed. After having a breast cancer diagnosis I had questions as to whether I should consider prophylactic removal of my other breast to reduce the risk of breast cancer in my remaining breast. He was aware of the other cancers in my family and so suggested that genetic counseling could help me determine the risk for another breast cancer diagnosis. Testing positive for the BRCA II gene mutation created new issues. How my sister would be affected, her girls and my children was the... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2725221 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:46:29 +0100 2725221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2667647&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FrXvUqkqWggc%2Fbreast-cancer-reconstruction-and-health.html By Sharon LaceyWhat does health care reform mean for patients with breast cancer and how will it affect you? Well, it could mean...Even though you or your loved one could benefit from advanced breast reconstructive surgery after mastectomy (like the DIEP flap procedure for example), your plastic surgeon might well have to say “no”. While this may sound extreme to many of you, this would happen if comparative-effectiveness research rules that the benefits of the surgery for the average patient just don't justify its price tag, especially when compared with yesterday's treatments (like tissue expanders for example). Unfortunately, medical advances and "cutting-edge" procedures do come at a price. Though this does mean certain procedures are more expensive, it has also ensured the United ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2667647 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:01:19 +0100 2667647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2606190&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2Fgrtn0gd5cTE%2Fbreast-reconstruction-breast-cancer.html Despite the increase of breast reconstruction procedures performed in 2008, nearly 70 percent of women who are eligible for the procedure are not informed of the reconstructive options available to them, according to a recently published report. Newly released statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows there were more than 79,000 breast reconstruction procedures performed in 2008 - a 39 percent increase over 2007. But in spite of this, current research suggests that many breast cancer patients are missing out on a key conversation that should take place at the time of diagnosis."Women need to understand all of their options to make an informed decision," said ASPS President John Canady, MD. "Those who are diagnosed should be immediately referred to a full team of p... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2606190 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:37:56 +0100 2606190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2858818&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=39013&url=http%3A%2F%2Fironictwistoffate.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fnot-just-normal-perfect.html I had my 4 month check with my oncologist on Monday. My blood results came in today and my nurse called to tell me that they were not just normal, but perfect! In the past, my blood sugar has been a bit screwy (since chemo/steroids) and I suppose the other numbers were in the normal range but have gotten even better since recovering from chemo. I'm so happy. I've worked really hard to try and be as proactive as I can about my health. Almost one year out! :) Breast reconstruction update: My incredible plastic surgeon has managed to find me custom-made breasts that ARE available in the US. They are supposedly both saline and silicone. He has gone to great lengths searching around the US and Europe specifically for my case. The catch is that I need government approval - which takes about a mo... Ironic Twist of Fate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2858818 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:05:00 +0100 2858818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512750&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F9lRNiC86PFs%2Fmammograms-after-mastectomy-and-breast.html "Do I still need to have mammograms after my mastectomy and breast reconstruction?" I'm asked this question quite often. The truth is there's a lot of ongoing debate about this. Some doctors feel that since there is no "natural" breast tissue left, there is no need to continue monitoring patients. I disagree with this strongly. Breast cancer can come back after mastectomy - there's a 6.7% chance in fact. Breast reconstruction does not increase or decrease the risk of recurrence at all - the recurrence rate is the same whether women have reconstruction or not. Since the risk of breast cancer recurrence is a real one, surely we need to continue some sort of monitoring?Self breast exam is a no-brainer. It's relatively easy to perform and it's dirt-cheap (free). The issue of mammograms is less... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512750 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:33:12 +0100 2512750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442541&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FFajdAtEy15Y%2Fbreast-reconstruction-in-metastatic.html Traditional medical opinion states that women with metastatic breast cancer are not candidates for breast reconstruction. Once metastases are diagnosed (stage 4 breast cancer), attention turns solely to aggressive medical treatment to prolong life. Breast reconstruction is no longer discussed as an option.At least that was the consensus up until fairly recently.Opinions have started to change over the last few years. While we are still losing the battle with stage 4 breast cancer and most women will die from their disease, who are we to decide that these women should not be made "whole"? Why should any women interested in breast reconstruction die breastless?As long as patients interested in reconstruction  are medically stable and passed "fit for surgery", the psycho-social and quality ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442541 Fri, 22 May 2009 04:36:18 +0100 2442541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442583&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fno-regrets-about-my-breast-reconstruction%2F Breast reconstruction is a huge part of the decision many survivors make when deciding on mastectomy or lumpectomy. I had a mastectomy and then a year and a half later had reconstruction. The DIEP flap surgery that I had that involved removal of the healthy breast and replacing both with tissue from my tummy has proven over time to have been a great decision for me. I love that I have real breast lumps and that I look and feel normal. With summer coming I, like many women, am reassessing my body which includes yet another attempt to take off those pounds that crept on over the long, long winter in Michigan. This year though I am really motivated to get the final touches done to my breast reconstruction. I still need nipples and areolas. A final reshaping of one breast is required too but I... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442583 Mon, 18 May 2009 20:58:15 +0100 2442583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415731&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fno-regrest-about-my-breast-reconstruction%2F Breast reconstruction is a huge part of the decision many survivors make when deciding on mastectomy or lumpectomy. I had a mastectomy and then a year and a half later had reconstruction. The DIEP flap surgery that I had that involved removal of the healthy breast and replacing both with tissue from my tummy has proven over time to have been a great decision for me. I love that I have real breast lumps and that I look and feel normal. With summer coming I, like many women, am reassessing my body which includes yet another attempt to take off those pounds that crept on over the long, long winter in Michigan. This year though I am really motivated to get the final touches done to my breast reconstruction. I still need nipples and areolas. A final reshaping of one breast is required too but I... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415731 Mon, 18 May 2009 20:58:15 +0100 2415731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382769&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fmeditation-for-stress-and-breast-cancer-treatment%2F Years ago I discovered meditation as a method to reduce stress. I always thought there was some secret to it involving Far Eastern chants and pretzel poses. I actually fell into a method of meditation that worked for me and now describe it as a place in your mind to retreat to for peace and calm. It started by realizing that I needed to get away but didn’t have the means or resources to do that.   So I took a few moments one morning to imagine a place that would provide complete calm away from my world. See, it doesn’t sound eerie or bizarre in any way! The place that came to me was a room overlooking the ocean with two balcony doors wide open to the outside with gauze curtain panels blowing in the breeze.  The best part about my envisioned room was that the only furniture in the roo... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382769 Fri, 01 May 2009 17:52:10 +0100 2382769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349545&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Ftrue-recovery-begins-after-breast-cancer-treatment%2F You completed your surgery or treatment, the surgical wounds have begun to fade and chemotherapy is a bad memory. Perhaps reconstruction is behind you and your hair is back on your head where it belongs. By all outward appearances you have begun to heal, or may even think you are fully healed from breast cancer. I’m sure your doctor, like mine is careful not to say that you are cured. My husband was told he was cured after his prostate cancer treatment and other cancers can be cured, but for breast cancer the word cured is not used. So we heal and we go on. Some of us can leave it behind and some of us carry the scars and overshadowing of cancer with us throughout our life.  Most of us I have discovered have fought breast cancer and won, but we haven’t healed. Healing is a process. Wh... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349545 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:11:17 +0100 2349545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2326595&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2Fz_T32al9RyI%2Fimpact-of-radiation-on-breast.html Radiation therapy is often recommended as part of breast cancer treatment. Patients undergoing lumpectomy receive radiation routinely once they've healed from surgery. Some mastectomy patients also need radiation after surgery depending on the characteristics of the tumor.I think it is fair to say that most reconstructive breast surgeons, myself included, are not particularly fond of radiation because of the way it impacts the patient's tissues (and breast reconstruction in general.) Nonetheless, it is important to remember that "life comes before breast" and in certain situations there is a definite benefit for the patient in having radiation therapy.So what's the problem with radiation therapy (from a plastic surgeon's perspective)? For starters it can cause toughening (fibrosis) and shr... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2326595 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:52:13 +0100 2326595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2858821&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=39013&url=http%3A%2F%2Fironictwistoffate.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Freconstructed-reconstruction.html I'm sitting here now with 2 drains in my chest, on a pain killer, and with some funky bra on that I have to wear 24/7. I went into surgery on Wednesday morning thinking it was going to be minor and ambulatory. Boy, was I wrong. My husband and I got to the hospital at 5:45am, and of course I barely slept the night before. I went into surgery around 8am to get my reconstruction fixed - well really - reconstructed. My surgeon had to take my saline implants out, and put expanders back in. For those of you that don't remember, expanders are implants that are usually placed in the chest right after a mastectomy and expand by injection of saline once every week or so until it's filled to capacity and the skin is fully stretched out. This creates an area for the permanent implants to be placed in.... Ironic Twist of Fate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2858821 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:34:00 +0100 2858821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260472&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbarbie-and-the-breast%2F Barbie turns 50 this week. I think we all know who she is. I got my first Barbie Doll when I was 5 years old. I played with Barbies until I was 12, I even learned to sew by making outfits for her. At least I don’t have to search very far to determine the source of  the misguided self image I grew up with. I thought to be beautiful you had to have long legs, a tiny waist, no rear and big breasts. Imagine how many young women suffered brain damage trying to morph into a doll that was created in a toy factory. Now we learn that she was modeled after a German sex doll – go figure. Truthfully though, breasts are beautiful. I never thought of mine that way until after I had two children. I was one of those women whose breasts got better after childbirth, not worse. I went from an A cup to a... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260472 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:41:23 +0100 2260472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2236186&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FssPZ_yEqbyo%2Ftexas-plastic-surgeons-offer-innovative.html San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) February 23, 2009 -- Plastic, Reconstructive & Microsurgical Associates (PRMA) of South Texas, a leading breast reconstruction surgery practice in San Antonio, is now offering women the Transverse Upper Gracilis (TUG) flap procedure to restore their breasts after mastectomy. PRMA plastic surgeons specialize in breast reconstruction after breast cancer, with particular expertise in advanced microsurgical techniques using the patient's own living tissue."Increasingly, women facing mastectomy prefer new breasts sculpted from their own skin and fat, thereby avoiding the problems that often occur with implants," says Dr Chrysopoulo. Breasts shaped from living tissue have a natural look and feel that can't be achieved using implants or temporary prostheses. "While most pa... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2236186 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:34:16 +0100 2236186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2175272&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prma-enhance.com%2Fdocuments%2FDrC_Blog_Talk_Radio_Interview.mp3 It was an absolute pleasure to talk to DeLeon and Travis on "DeLeon Dialogue" last night.Breast cancer survivor DeLeon and cervical cancer survivor Travis talk frankly with their guests about quality of life as cancer survivors in remission. They discuss side effects, spirituality, mastectomy, sexuality, health and wellness, self-esteem, food, exercise, relationships, and everything else in between.Last night the one-hour show was about "breast reconstruction after mastectomy". We managed to cover a lot of ground - we talked about the various cutting edge breast reconstruction options currently available, breast implants, the impact of radiation therapy on reconstruction, recovery from surgery, and insurance coverage for reconstruction. Please click on the link below to listen to the show:... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2175272 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:30:04 +0100 2175272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512752&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F4IATHzlvpm0%2Fwhen-is-prophylactic-mastectomy-right.html CONCLUSIONS:The findings indicated that CPM may be a rational choice for breast cancer patients who have a 5-year Gail risk 1.67%, an additional ipsilateral moderate-risk to high-risk pathology, an ipsilateral multicentric tumor, or an ipsilateral tumor of invasive lobular histology.*****So what does all this mean?This study basically concludes that prophylactic (ie preventive) mastectomy should be recommended to breast cancer patients in the following situations:1) the breast cancer is particularly aggressive or invasive2) the biopsy pathology report shows high risk histology (such as "invasive lobular" disease)3) there are multiple tumors in the same breast4) a 5-year Gail risk of at least 1.67 - The "Gail risk" assesses a woman's risk of developing breast cancer by looking at a number o... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512752 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:18:02 +0100 2512752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512756&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F72Z2i8eyaUM%2Fbreast-reconstruction-surgery-part-iii.html The ideal breast reconstruction technique is one which allows reconstruction of a “natural”, warm, soft breast with the least impact on the patient’s body. While breast reconstruction with stem cells may not be too far off, until it becomes a reality we are limited to using the patient’s own tissue to achieve these goals. As discussed in the previous posts in this breast reconstruction series, until fairly recently the only “tissue reconstruction” options involved sacrificing muscle. This made recovery from the surgery difficult and painful, not to mention the risk of long-term muscle function loss and weakness. Perforator flap techniques use skin and fat from various parts of the body. All muscles are preserved. Since no muscle is sacrificed recovery is much easier and muscle ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512756 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:52:05 +0100 2512756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512755&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FJRoEzt_XnDE%2Fbreast-reconstruction-surgery-part-ii.html Women interested in breast reconstruction after mastectomy have several reconstruction options to choose from. In Part I of this series we discussed tissue expanders, breast implants and Alloderm.Though implant reconstruction remains the most common method of breast reconstruction in the US, many women are now steering away from this option, opting instead to use their own tissue for more “natural” results. Muscle flaps have, until fairly recently, been the only choice available for these tissue reconstructions. The most commonly offered muscle flaps are the latissimus and TRAM flap procedures.Latissimus Dorsi Flap:The latissimus procedure uses muscle from the back of the shoulder blade which is brought around to the breast mound to help create a new breast. During the procedure a sect... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512755 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:43:38 +0100 2512755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2084355&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbeating-cancerthis-time%2F I’m off to see my oncologist for my regular three month follow-up this morning. It’s funny, I can’t remember any appointment or meeting unless I write it down, but I never forget the oncologist appointment, so that one I rarely write down, although I do get the times mixed up but never the day. The only thing that is a bit of a nuisance is that the office is busy and since these follow-up appointments take maybe 15 or 20 minutes, it doesn’t seem worth the 20- to 30-minute wait to see the doctor. Oh well, they’ve stuck with me this long, I’m sure I can weather the inconvenience. After almost five years since starting treatment, I am feeling pretty confident. I am told my risk of cancer spreading gets lower as time goes by and I am pretty sure that I won&#... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2084355 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:50:40 +0100 2084355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512754&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FoKVlzS5TQLA%2Fbreast-reconstruction-surgery-part-i.html This posting is the first of a 3-part series on breast reconstructive surgery discussing the reconstructive options available to women facing mastectomy for breast cancer.Every woman has a right to breast reconstruction. This has now actually become a federal mandate and insurance companies are required to pay for all types of breast reconstruction by law. Having said that it is also important to remember that it’s not up to the health insuranc carrier to decide which reconstruction a patient receives. That’s determined by the patient and her surgeons.Breast reconstruction is not a form of cosmetic surgery – it restores something that nature has provided but cancer has taken away. There is also no age limit – as long as there are no medical conditions that render the surgery unsaf... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512754 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:27:26 +0100 2512754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512757&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FqfGMMFMK6GQ%2Fbreast-reconstruction-with-tissue-much.html This study involved the largest reported series of patients who sequentially underwent mastectomy, immediate reconstruction and postmastectomy radiation therapy. Ninety-two patients were observed for a period of 38 months following breast reconstruction and radiation therapy. Researchers found that autologous breast reconstruction is better tolerated by breast cancer patients because it is associated with fewer long-term complications and better cosmetic results than tissue expander/implant reconstruction.None of the 23 patients reconstructed with their own tissue required further surgery while 33% of tissue expander/implant patients needed surgery to correct a problem with their reconstruction. Eighty-three percent of autologous reconstruction patients reported acceptable cosmetic results... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512757 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:14:25 +0100 2512757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512759&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FHm93VdEYnNI%2Favoiding-denervation-of-abdominal.html Conclusions: Nerves innervating the rectus abdominis are at risk during DIEP flap harvest. Small, type 1 nerves have overlapping innervation from adjacent nerves and may be sacrificed without functional detriment. However, large type 2 nerves at the level of the arcuate line innervate the entire width of rectus muscle without adjacent overlap and may contribute to donor-site morbidity if sacrificed.******Here's my take....The long and the short of it is that for DIEP flap surgery to be considered successful several things need to happen (in my opinion):1) the tissue (flap) transferred to the chest to create the new breast must survive. ie the new breast must live. Obvious.2) the patient must not suffer any ill-effects from removal of the tissue ("flap") from the abdomen. This is what we ca... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512759 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:13:42 +0100 2512759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512758&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FUvv9n0Edy3g%2Fbreast-cancer-recurrence-not-related-to.html One of my breast cancer patients called me today. She recently underwent bilateral mastectomies and immediate breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps. She recovered very well from the surgery but unfortunately her pathology results showed that she had cancer extending almost to the edge of the mastectomy specimen. The exact medical jargon used by the pathologist was.... "invasive carcinoma extending to 1mm from the margin". She also had DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) "extending to 0.2mm from the margin."From a purist's perspective, these results still represent "clear margins". In other words, no tumor was found at the edge of the mastectomy specimen so there is no reason to believe there is any cancer left in my patient's breast. BUT, it's very close and that is certainly worrisome.She cal... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512758 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:12:25 +0100 2512758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1970951&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F457936417%2Favoiding-denervation-of-abdominal.html Conclusions: Nerves innervating the rectus abdominis are at risk during DIEP flap harvest. Small, type 1 nerves have overlapping innervation from adjacent nerves and may be sacrificed without functional detriment. However, large type 2 nerves at the level of the arcuate line innervate the entire width of rectus muscle without adjacent overlap and may contribute to donor-site morbidity if sacrificed.******Here's my take....The long and the short of it is that for DIEP flap surgery to be considered successful several things need to happen (in my opinion):1) the tissue (flap) transferred to the chest to create the new breast must survive. ie the new breast must live. Obvious.2) the patient must not suffer any ill-effects from removal of the tissue ("flap") from the abdomen. This is what we ca... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1970951 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:48:30 +0100 1970951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512764&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FkDdBuAHlYXk%2Fplastic-surgeon-using-new-technology-in.html Wendy Rigby- KENS 5 Eyewitness NewsSan Antonio's Methodist Hospital is one of only two facilities in the country offering a new technology to help in breast reconstruction surgery — a system that gives doctors a more precise way to see what they are operating on.Plastic surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo is a man on a mission. He wants more breast cancer patients to know that when they face a mastectomy, they can have their breast reconstructed at the same time. Dr. Chrysopoulo performs the new procedure at the Methodist Hospital.It's a specialized form of breast reconstruction surgery called the "DIEP flap", where doctors take skin and fat from the patient's abdomen, and use it to form a natural-looking breast by using Novadaq's new imaging system called "SPY…" the doctor is able to prese... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512764 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:02:58 +0100 2512764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1859827&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbringing-sexy-back-into-your-life-after-breast-cancer%2F Years ago before breast cancer touched my life, I saw a photograph of a beautiful woman who had lost a breast to cancer. The self portrait showed this woman naked from the waist up with up stretched arms and a scar where a breast should have been. The other breast was hidden by the pose. She was truly beautiful and the photograph was sexy. I didn’t get it then, but now I realize that she was extraordinary to have been able to reveal her sexuality and the brutality of the disease at the same time. For me sexy doesn’t come as easy. The last time I felt really sexy was when my husband whisked me off wig, prophylactic bra and all for a romantic weekend for Valentines Day during my chemotherapy. Just a few months later, after treatment was complete, all the sexy was gone. Well, it’s time ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1859827 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:37:38 +0100 1859827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512767&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FOEhSSHVKhik%2Fcomparison-of-donor-site-morbidity-of.html A study published in September's edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examined the abdominal recovery rates and patient satisfaction after breast reconstruction with different abdominal flaps: the DIEP, SIEA and muscle-sparing free TRAM. The SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap is the least invasive method of lower abdominal flap breast reconstruction; however, there are no published reports comparing the donor-site morbidity of SIEA flaps to that of TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous) flaps or DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator) flaps. A description of how these abdominal flap breast reconstruction procedures differ is available here. The authors of the study used a 12-question patient survey and retrospective chart review to compare donor-... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512767 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:29:23 +0100 2512767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819377&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F401310115%2Fcomparison-of-donor-site-morbidity-of.html A study published in September's edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examined the abdominal recovery rates and patient satisfaction after breast reconstruction with different abdominal flaps: the DIEP, SIEA and muscle-sparing free TRAM. The SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap is the least invasive method of lower abdominal flap breast reconstruction; however, there are no published reports comparing the donor-site morbidity of SIEA flaps to that of TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous) flaps or DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator) flaps. A description of how these abdominal flap breast reconstruction procedures differ is available here. The authors of the study used a 12-question patient survey and retrospective chart review to compare donor-... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819377 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:17:34 +0100 1819377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512769&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FQybDdi37FTM%2F98-of-mastectomy-patients-would-have.html This study shows that women with cancer in one breast who choose to have their other breast removed as a preventive measure are happy with their decision and a high percentage would do it again,” said Scott Spear, MD, study co-author and past ASPS president. “More remarkable is the 100 percent satisfaction level, as well as the 100 percent willingness to have breast reconstruction again, for the women who chose to have both breasts removed.”The study examined 74 women who had preventive mastectomies and subsequent breast reconstruction between 2000 and 2005. Forty-seven patients had breast cancer in one breast and elected to surgically remove their other breast (unilateral prophylactic mastectomy). Twenty-seven patients did not have breast cancer, but chose to surgically remove both ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512769 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:10:08 +0100 2512769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512775&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FTDJh8qBtPE0%2Fdiep-flap-reconstruction-and-breast.html Can DIEP flap breast reconstruction prevent detection of breast cancer recurrence? This is a very important issue that is often not discussed.A handful of studies have shown that breast reconstruction (with any reconstructive technique) does not impact local recurrence or long term survival in patients with early breast cancer (stage I and II). The rate of local recurrence and length of survival is the same in patients with stage I and II disease whether they undergo immediate breast reconstruction (ie reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy) or not. For this reason most institutions (including ours) offer breast cancer patients with early disease immediate breast reconstruction whenever possible.Patients diagnosed with advanced disease are more likely to be candidates for delayed br... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512775 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:56:50 +0100 2512775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819397&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329103%2Fhype-around-diep-flap-breast.html If you are a woman facing mastectomy you have a decision to make: do I want breast reconstruction? If the answer is “yes”, plastic surgery holds the key. Although reconstruction cannot replace the breast(s) you were born with or allow you to breastfeed, it can restore your natural silhouette and make you feel “whole” again following mastectomy. Depending on your health, breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after your mastectomy surgery so you can wake up with new breasts already in place. While the cosmetic results with immediate reconstruction are generally superior, breast reconstruction can also be performed at a later time once the cancer treatment has been completed.The DIEP flap breast procedure is today’s gold standard in breast reconstruction. Advances in br... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819397 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:16:58 +0100 1819397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819395&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329101%2Fhigh-risk-of-breast-cancer-4-factors.html Breast cancer has struck within my family, and when it did I was worried not only for my relative (she's fine now, thank goodness), but also for myself.After her diagnosis, when I asked my doctor if I should do anything beyond the norm to safeguard my health, the doctor's answer was, "Many more women who have no known relatives with breast cancer get the disease than do those who have a family history."This was her way of reassuring me, and I've continued to live healthy by getting the usual screenings and not worrying constantly that I will be diagnosed. Every year I schedule my mammogram, and every so often I do a self exam, and I tell other women to do the same. These are the best cancer-fighting aids we have: awareness, action, and advocacy.To get a quick snapshot of your own risk, bas... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819395 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:16:37 +0100 1819395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819394&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329099%2Fdouble-mastectomies-to-prevent-breast_18.html From 1998 through 2003, the rate of double mastectomies among women in the United States who had cancer diagnosed in only one breast more than doubled, according to a report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology."Many surgeons had noticed that more women were requesting double mastectomy for treatment of the cancer in only one breast. So, we weren't surprised by the overall trend, but we were very surprised by the magnitude," lead author Dr. Todd M. Tuttle said in an interview with Reuters Health.What is driving this trend will require further studies, added Tuttle, from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In the meantime, he advised, it is critical that physicians be aware and inform their patients that "although there may be sound reasons for undergoing double mastectomy (avoidance... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819394 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:16:15 +0100 1819394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819393&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329098%2Fdieting-reduces-lymphedema-after-breast.html By David DouglasNEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Weight loss appears to be an effective way to reduce breast cancer-associated lymphedema of the arm, according to UK researchers.Lymphedema is common, chronic condition that often develops after breast surgery, in which excess fluid collects in the lymph nodes and vessels in the armpit. Treatment for this condition has usually "centered on skin care, external support and compression, exercise and movement and simple lymphatic drainage," lead investigator Dr. Clare Shaw told Reuters Health."This is the first time that weight reduction has been shown to influence the size of a lymphedematous arm," the researcher points out.Shaw of the Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, and colleagues note that obesity is a risk factor f... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819393 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:15:30 +0100 1819393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819391&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329096%2Fbreast-reconstruction-often-not.html By Megan RauscherNEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women with breast cancer faced with treatment decisions are often not told by their surgeons about the possibility of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, a study confirms. When these conversations do occur, many more women choose mastectomy, researchers found.In a survey of 1,178 women who had breast cancer surgery, only 33 percent reported that their surgeon had discussed breast reconstruction with them during the surgical decision-making process."We found it surprising that very few patients were informed about their options for breast reconstruction, and that information regarding reconstruction was more likely to be given to younger women who were more educated," Dr. Amy K. Alderman of the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arb... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819391 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:15:07 +0100 1819391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819390&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329095%2Fbif-naked-fighting-breast-cancer-by.html Bif Naked, Canadian punk rocker, 36-year-old newlywed, vows to keep working on two new albums while in treatment for breast cancer. Bif, born Beth Torbert, found the breast lump herself while doing a regular breast self-exam. Bif is known for her healthy lifestyle, strict vegan diet, dedicated workout routine, and regular yoga sessions. "I have never been one to give up when an obstacle is placed in front of me. I am in the fight of my life, and I'm lucky to have the support of my husband Ian and many friends and family members," said Bif. She plans to continue work on her sixth album, as well as a new project with Spanish-born, death-metal guitarist La Machina, to be called Jakkarta. Bif Naked's treatment will include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.Source: breastcancer.about.com*****... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819390 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:14:50 +0100 1819390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819389&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329094%2Fbreast-cancer-gene-testing-less-likely.html NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - African American women are generally less likely than white women to pursue genetic testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2, the gene mutations associated with an increased risk of break cancer, researchers report. However, African American women with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer are much more likely to do so, according to the article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology."Everybody deserves consideration for testing if their clinical and family history situation warrant it," Dr. James P. Evans, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Reuters Health. "Regardless of race, one has to approach genetic testing as an important option and explain the pros and cons to the patient."Evans and associates examined race and the timing of breast cancer diagnosis a... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819389 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:14:27 +0100 1819389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512777&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2Fhf5sWGT6JXo%2Fbreast-cancer-patients-may-benefit-from.html Women with breast cancer who are involved in the process of selecting their surgeon are more likely to be treated by more experienced surgeons and in hospitals with established cancer programs, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.Surgeon and hospital characteristics can influence the outcomes of cancer treatments, the authors explain, but little is known about the factors that influence how referrals are made.Dr. Steven J. Katz from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and colleagues used survey data from women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and their attending surgeons to determine how surgeons are selected, and if there is any association between the referral process and characteristics of the surgeon and hospital.Most women were referred to their ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512777 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:13:53 +0100 2512777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512776&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FTbpiHpP5BfE%2Ffew-women-have-regrets-when-choosing.html Conclusions: The researchers concluded that most women who have preventive mastectomy are satisfied with their choice and report having a good quality of life. The women who had preventive mastectomy were less likely than the other women to be concerned about breast cancer.Women who reported having a lower quality of life were more likely to have poor body image, be unhappy with their sex life, possibly be depressed, feel the need to avoid thoughts of breast cancer, and have a poor general health perception.Take-home message: If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast and are considering a preventive mastectomy, this study offers strong support that no matter which decision you make, you are likely to be content with that decision later.More than 75% of women in each group... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512776 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:12:59 +0100 2512776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512771&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FxdCP2_sX-NM%2Fprevious-abdominal-surgeries-increase.html Conclusions: With minor technical modifications, DIEP flaps can be performed successfully without increased flap complications in patients with preexisting abdominal incisions. Despite these design modifications, patients should be informed of an increased risk for donor-site complications.*****Here's my take...While we have not seen such a high rate of complications in our practice, I agree with the conclusions of this study completely. There is no question that the DIEP flap procedure is associated with far fewer abdominal complications than the TRAM flap. However, that does not mean that DIEP surgery is free of risk.The complexity of any surgery and the potential complications increase when operating on parts of the body that have undergone previous surgeries. The abdomen is no differen... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512771 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:12:25 +0100 2512771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512773&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FXbhvrRX8Ffo%2Ffat-derived-stem-cell-enhanced-breast.html Article by Pam StephanCytori Celution Improves Soft Tissue TransplantationA lumpectomy is less drastic than having a mastectomy, but it leaves you with a scar and a dimple where a smooth, full curve used to be. The breast can also end up much smaller causing significant breast asymmetry in some women. This asymmetry is often exacerbated by the contraction (shrinkage) caused by the radiation therapy that usually follows lumpectomy. An investigational breast reconstruction technique is being studied that uses your own fat and stem cells to repair the shape of your breast. This technique is called Cell-Enhanced Reconstruction, and was presented at the 2007 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.A Technique for Partial Breast ReconstructionWomen who have had breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy,... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512773 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:11:49 +0100 2512773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819406&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329108%2Fage-not-exclusion-criterion-for-breast.html Conclusions: The authors believe that all types of reconstruction should be an option for women older than 60 years of age and that age as an isolated factor should not deter physicians from offering these women the option of breast reconstruction.******Dr Chrysopoulo is board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and specializes in breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy for breast cancer. He and his partners perform hundreds of microsurgical breast reconstructions with perforator flaps each year including the DIEP flap procedure. PRMA Plastic Surgery, San Antonio, Texas. Toll Free: (800) 692-5565. Keep up to date with the latest breast reconstruction news by following Dr Chrysopoulo's Breast Reconstruction Blog.******breast cancer, breast reconstruction, mastectomy, brea... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819406 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:31:11 +0100 1819406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512770&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2FV6Z0iZuPZF0%2Fimmediate-breast-reconstruction-after.html Breast Reconstruction Does Not Impede Chemotherapy, Recovery or Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Recurrence. Debunking the myth that women with locally advanced breast cancer must wait until after chemotherapy to have their breast reconstructed, a study presented at the Annual ASPS/PSEF/ASMS Meeting found that immediate free flap breast reconstruction for women with breast cancer is safe and psychologically beneficial.The study, which followed 170 patients with locally advanced breast cancer, found that immediate reconstruction did not delay post-operative chemotherapy, prolong recovery or hinder the diagnosis of local cancer reccurrence."Losing a breast is traumatic," said ASPS Member James Watson, MD, and participating surgeon in the study. "As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I wanted to en... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512770 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:30:28 +0100 2512770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512768&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2Fye5LDKO2r3k%2Fchristina-applegate-mastectomy-calls.html Actress Christina Applegate’s public disclosure of her breast cancer, her decision to have a double mastectomy, and plans to go forth with breast reconstruction surgery, calls attention to the need for a medical “team” approach in the treatment and recovery from breast cancer.“A decision to have breast reconstruction is a decision to have plastic surgery. And, that ought to be done by a plastic surgeon. This is what we train for and do everyday. Plastic surgeons have pioneered and refined all of the state-of-the-art techniques in breast reconstruction including implant approaches and autologous tissue (natural) transfers,” said Richard D’Amico, MD, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).The methods for treating women with breast cancer have evolved and we ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512768 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:19:04 +0100 2512768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512774&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F0vJdt7fHJWY%2Fbreast-reconstruction-advances-fix.html ASPS Report Examines Reconstruction Innovations for Breast Cancer Patients Including Partial and Full MastectomiesFor Immediate Release: April 2008ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery is the most common type of breast cancer surgery currently performed. A benefit of the surgery is that only part of the breast is removed, but a drawback can be the resulting physical appearance of the breast, which may be disfigured, dented or uneven. A report in April’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® , the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), examines advances plastic surgeons have made in breast reconstruction to repair the damage left when cancer is removed.“Although breast conversation therapies are a huge advance in the t... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512774 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:34:05 +0100 2512774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819404&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329106%2Fwill-insurance-pay-for-my-diep-breast.html "Will insurance pay for my DIEP flap breast reconstruction?"This is a question I am repeatedly asked. The easy answer is "they should". However, some women have experienced difficulties with their insurance companies in terms of getting their DIEP flap procedure covered. The good news is that there are a handful of plastic surgeons across the country that do routinely offer these advanced procedures and to my knowledge, many of them accept insurance. Unfortunately most women will have to travel to gain access to them.Our group, Plastic, Reconstructive & Microsurgical Associates (PRMA) is located in San Antonio, Texas. We perform over 300 microsurgical breast reconstructions per year, the vast majority of which are covered by insurance. We have staff specifically for dealing with insurance ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819404 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:27:08 +0100 1819404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819396&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329102%2Fprma-sponsors-bold-diep-flap.html For Immediate Release: September 24, 2007PRMA of South Texas, a leading cosmetic and plastic surgery practice in San Antonio, Texas is sponsoring a unique effort to inform and educate breast cancer patients about their options after mastectomy.“Life is a Carnival,” a bold approach to mastectomy and breast cancer reconstruction education, is a 14-month calendar featuring photos of women who had breast reconstruction after mastectomy and those who didn’t. The calendar is published by Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), the only national nonprofit organization for families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. “More than just a calendar, ‘Life is a Carnival’ is an intimate collection of real women courageously sharing their bodies and their experiences to help... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819396 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:03:41 +0100 1819396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819392&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329097%2Fmicrosurgical-breast-reconstruction.html So what are "perforator flaps"?Pioneered in the early 1990's, perforator flap breast reconstruction represents the state of the art in breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. The tissue removed at the time of mastectomy may be replaced with the patient's own warm, soft, living tissue to recreate a "natural" breast.Skin, fatty tissue, and the tiny blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tissue ("perforators") can be taken from the patient's abdomen (SIEA flap and DIEP flap procedures) or buttocks (GAP flap procedure).Unlike conventional tissue reconstruction techniques (like the TRAM flap), these microsurgical perforator flap techniques carefully preserve the patient's underlying musculature. The tissue is then transplanted to the patient's chest and reconnected using microsurger... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819392 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:00:16 +0100 1819392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1783012&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fhigh-health-insurance-costs-mean-no-vacation%2F Sister is in Italy swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. She and her husband have taken a much-deserved vacation, but who doesn’t deserve a vacation? After five and a half years of marriage I am still waiting for a honeymoon. When I got married I was an immigrant from Canada so I couldn’t leave the country for three months while I was being processed. Then that very summer while we were planning our romantic trip, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the rest is well-documented on this Life with Breast Cancer blog. I want a vacation and a honeymoon, and I don’t want to take them at the same time. Travel is great fun, but not when you’re sick or recovering. Even the car travel after reconstructive surgery in Baltimore (a ten hour drive from Detroit) was a challenge. Baltimore is a di... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1783012 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:39:47 +0100 1783012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1764337&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fchristina-applegate-ups-the-ante-in-the-fight-against-breast-cancer%2F Last week when the young actress Christina Applegate announced that she had battled breast cancer by having her breasts removed, I was elated that she turned her battle into a crusade to promote MRI screenings and genetic counseling. I was saddened more so by the fact that such a young woman has to be struck with it in the first place. She has been diagnosed as a BRCA II carrier with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. I can write a blog post every day about it, but you know that if a young Hollywood actress is talking about it millions of people are listening. This makes me ecstatic about the possibilities that this may open up, now that Hollywood is taking a stand against cancer. A while back, two Hollywood producers were introduced to each other through their oncologist while eac... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764337 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:30:18 +0100 1764337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1709804&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Ffinding-lumps-after-breast-reconstruction%2F For the most part, my reconstructed breasts are smooth and natural. Pressing in on them, however, reveals to me small, hard masses. I only have a couple that I can find, but it did cause some alarm initially. The surgeon assured me that they were fat tissue that had hardened as a result of the transplanted tissue and were completely unrelated to any breast cancer issues. I sometimes wonder if I am completely safe though. Last week the other breast cancer blogger on HealthTalk, Suzette, wrote about her recent experience in finding a lump and undergoing a biopsy only months after breast reconstruction. The thing I admire about Suzette is her knowledge of her body and her vigilance against recurring breast cancer. I learn a lot from reading her blog posts. Thankfully, the results were negativ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1709804 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:56:25 +0100 1709804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1649367&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fsoaking-up-life-the-cancer-survivor-way%2F Twenty-one years ago this summer is the one and only time I ever played golf. You might then wonder, as my husband did, why I bought a brand new set of ladies golf clubs last week. Well, for one thing they were on sale but most importantly they were blazoned with the breast cancer hope pink ribbon, and the shafts of the clubs are pink. I bought the Wilson Hope ladies (pictured below) set of golf clubs. I am reaching my five year breast cancer survivorship since my diagnosis. I have decided that my life needs to be filled with more fun things so I am taking up golf since Tiger Woods makes it look fun and lucrative. My family has even planned a trip to Lake Tahoe for Christmas! I don’t ski, but I foresee a set of pink skis in my future to stand beside my new golf set. These past sever... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1649367 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:34:16 +0100 1649367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1819402&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F331329104%2Fyoung-black-women-at-higher-risk-of.html These tumors lack hormone receptors that make ideal treatment targets, researchers sayBy Alan MozesHealthDay ReporterMONDAY, March 26 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. breast cancer patients with a particularly deadly form of the disease are more likely to be poor, black or Hispanic, and under 40 years of age, new research shows.Patients diagnosed with "triple-negative" breast cancer lack three key hormonal cancer markers that are present in most other forms of the disease, experts explain.The absence of these cell receptors deprives doctors and patients of critical diagnostic information and prime targets for treatment, reducing a patient's therapeutic options and undercutting her expected survival."The paradox is that while African-American and Hispanic women have a lower overall risk for breast ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1819402 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:27:32 +0100 1819402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1475464&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fthe-finishing-touches-of-breast-reconstruction%2F With summer weather approaching, not having nipples is actually pretty convenient. It is easier to throw on a bathing suit or tank top and not concern myself with what may be poking through. However, I have decided to continue with this part of the reconstruction of my breasts, and have nipples created and the areola tattooed. Reconstruction for me has been a journey, and not a short one. Many women know the length of the process involved in getting implants and taking the time to inflate the original pouch before replacing it with the final implant. DIEP flap, although a major surgery, does not take as much time to get to the final results; perhaps just the follow-up surgery to create the cosmetic nipples and any touchups. Part of the reason it has taken so long with me is that I have bee... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1475464 Wed, 28 May 2008 21:11:30 +0100 1475464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1423765&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fa-left-over-problem-from-a-mastectomy%2F When a woman has a mastectomy, there often is a funny thing that happens to the tissue that is left. For these women, the tissue or fat pad that was the tail of the breast that remains after surgery migrates to the area under the arm. The result is an uncomfortable mound of flesh that makes you look like you have a bulge of fat on the side of your body. I noticed this when I went to buy a bra for my prosthesis before I had reconstruction. It was difficult to just buy a bra in my usual size because I now had this extra bit that had to be tucked in somewhere from under my arm; it ended up just bulging through the side band of the bra. Fortunately for me, I was able to address this during reconstruction. After the initial surgery to create the breasts through the DIEP flap procedure, I still... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1423765 Mon, 05 May 2008 22:48:02 +0100 1423765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1361281&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fanother-day-with-chemo-brain%2F I have blogged often on chemo brain, and I was reading a recent comment on an old blog where a reader stated that after several years she is convinced that chemo brain doesn’t go away. That got me to thinking about my own struggle with the effects of chemo brain like absentmindedness, not remembering words while I’m talking and a feeling of disconnection from my own brain. These are still prevalent effects. Even though my brain still works and I am learning new things by taking college courses, the impaired memory and stuck-on-a -thought incidences still linger. Some days, I actually feel completely disconnected from my brain and that I am just acting on instinct. What if it never goes away? In fact, what if my thinking it is getting better is only because I have learned to live with m... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1361281 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:24:17 +0100 1361281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1307938&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fis-fatigue-a-symptom-of-something-more%2F Fatigue has been overtaking me by about 4:00 p.m. each day regardless of the sleep I have managed to accrue the night before. I would like to write it off as the effects of the long cold winter that we have been having in Michigan, but I don’t have that luxury. I am a breast cancer survivor that had cancer spread to my lymph nodes. Although I have taken preventative measures like having a mastectomy of the affected breast and a prophylactic mastectomy of the other breast in addition to having my ovaries removed and taking a hormonal drug, I have to be concerned about anything in my health that is askew. It is like knowing that someone is out there that wants you dead, only this enemy has already infiltrated your life once. Cancer is that same enemy that I have to continue to be vigilant ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1307938 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:19:21 +0100 1307938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1263529&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fthe-emotional-impact-of-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis%2F Is it possible to be unemotionally affected by a breast cancer diagnosis? My decision to volunteer in the research study about the emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis has me realizing that there was indeed a huge assault to my emotional well-being from a cancer diagnosis. (It is outlined in my February 18th blog “A study on ways to cope with a breast cancer diagnosis”) Initially I was strong and even prepared for the breast cancer diagnosis I received. I thought it would be easy to go through the lumpectomy and get on with my life. After the surgery to remove just the lump, I was far more shaken to learn that the margins weren’t clear, that I would have to lose a breast, and that cancer had invaded eight lymph nodes. The idea of dying from cancer became a reality, and the p... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1263529 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:59:43 +0100 1263529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1261579&cid=t_171608_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F02%2F27%2Fwouldnt-it-be-nice-if-a-bird-of-paradise-landed-at-my-feet%2F Latest guidance from NICE. Prostate cancer Osteoarthritis Ventilation tubes (grommets) in children with OME Irritable bowel syndrome Liposuction for chronic lymphoedema Laparoscopic mobilisation of the greater omentum for use in breast reconstruction Endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for mediastinal metastases Psychosis (first onset) - neuroimaging Follicular non-hodgkins lymphoma (recurrent or refractory stage III or IV) - rituximab Community engagement Smoking cessation (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1261579 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:39:36 +0100 1261579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1173536&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fthe-nerve-of-breast-cancer-intruding-like-that%2F Breast cancer certainly has no discretion when it decides to show up. After celebrating five years of marriage on December 29, 2007, I couldn’t help but think how this disease has woven itself through the fiber of my wedded bliss. Our first summer in our new home only seven months married, and I found the lump. The ensuing battle that accompanied treatment took all my energy for the next six months. Thankfully, I had a husband who participated in the battle and had no intention of altering his commitment to me - so much though for the newlywed honeymoon period. Losing the breast and being exposed to treatment deteriorated some of the passion I felt as a new bride. My husband, bless his heart, embraced his bald, one-breasted wife with the same vigor and desire he showed me the day we got ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1173536 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:30:24 +0100 1173536 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1005435&cid=t_171608_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fhow-did-you-decide-between-a-lumpectomy-and-mastectomy%2F When my doctor advised me that the margins of the breast tumor weren’t clear after my lumpectomy and that I would need a mastectomy, I thought what choice do I have? I guess I thought it out loud because he told me that several women say that they would rather die than lose their breast. He then told me that most of them return to his office and decide on mastectomy after thinking about the option. Years ago, most women didn’t have the option. Once breast cancer was discovered a mastectomy was scheduled. In many instances this involved a radical mastectomy that removed the lymph nodes and muscle at the same time. Thank heavens for more current research that shows that a lumpectomy in most instances is just as effective and a modified or partial removal of only the affected lymph nodes ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1005435 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:53:13 +0100 1005435