Breast Reconstruction to Get On With Life

When a woman loses a breast to cancer, having breast reconstruction performed can help her to get on with her life. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a shattering experience. Finding a lump or noticing changes is a fear inducing circumstance. When the doctor confirms the patient’s worse fear, that she does indeed have cancer, her world may fall apart initially. But after receiving treatment and reconstructive surgery, she can go on with her life.

A female usually is tipped off about the disease while taking a shower and noticing a lump, while performing a monthly self-examination, as a result of her annual gynecological physical, or after having a mammogram. Monthly self exams should be performed so that the first sign can be noticed early. No one knows their own body like the patient so it is likely that any change will be taken into account quickly. Changes in the composition of the glandular tissue, nipple excretions, or lumps should all be brought to the attention of the physician immediately. 

When cancer is the verdict, the steps are to remove it in either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. A lumpectomy is an operation in which the minimum of tissue is removed in order to salvage the rest. A mastectomy is the complete removal or one or both breasts. Several women consider breast reconstruction after these procedures. 

In addition to these surgical interventions, chemotherapy and radiation will likely be administered. Chemotherapy is administered via an I.V., through shots, pills or injections. This may occur in the hospital, doctor’s office or the patient’s home. A visiting nurse may come to administer these drugs or an automatic pump device may be strapped to the patient’s arm in order to give the proper amount at specific times. One vein may be readied with a port so that repeated injections will not be necessary. A port is a device inserted into the vein in order to be able to administer medication through an I.V. or pump as needed. Repeated injections are hard on veins and sometimes cause them to collapse.

Radiation is a series of intense energy waves which are shot at tumors through a special machine. Radiation is not painful but will cause the tumor to shrink. When a patient is undergoing this treatment, all technicians wear heavily protective gear or leave the room in order to keep themselves safe. This treatment is safe in small doses, but large and repeated amounts cause problems and illness.

After a patient has gone through treatment, she may choose to rebuild her breasts through breast reconstruction techniques. Many times, tissue from the abdomen is stretched upward to form a new bosom. Implants are placed to add fullness to the regions. These implants are medical devices filled with either saline or silicone solution. At times, the skin will need to be stretched out over time before having enough room to accommodate an implant. Finally, a new nipple may be created by the surgeon’s tucking of a bit of skin with a suture, then tattooing on a circular areola. With breast reconstruction, a woman can take back her body and her life.