In a recent article, titled Advanced Post-Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction Improves Women’s Psychosocial and Sexual Wellbeing(opens in a new tab), by CANCER Online Journal, a study found that “After a mastectomy, women who undergo breast reconstruction with tissue from their own abdomen experience significant gains in psychological, social, and sexual wellbeing as soon as three weeks after surgery.” (CANCER Online Journal: http://www.canceronlinejournal.com/newsroom(opens in a new tab)) The study was performed by Toni Zhong, MD, MHS, of the University Health Network Breast Restoration Program in collaboration with several others at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. They surveyed 51 women who were preparing for their MS-TRAM or DIEP flap reconstructive surgery(opens in a new tab) during the months between June 2009 and November 2010. Breast reconstruction is restoring the form of a breast that has been damaged, partially removed, or completely removed. Breast reconstruction is almost always done after treatment for breast cancer, although there are some birth defects that can result in the need for breast reconstruction(opens in a new tab). Breast reconstruction can be performed with implants (the same ones used for breast augmentation), or with the body’s own excess tissue (usually from the abdomen or buttocks), thus avoiding the need to place foreign objects in the body. The study found that these women who experienced breast reconstruction “reported significant improvements in psychological, social, and sexual wellbeing just three weeks after surgery,” according to the article. Although The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction(opens in a new tab) has not performed a formal study on the feelings that patients experience post breast reconstructive surgery, we have found that many of them feel a sense of improved psyche and self-esteem. Just ask Leslie Haywood(opens in a new tab) who underwent breast reconstruction with the Charleston breast surgeons(opens in a new tab) of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction: “I have never been happier with my body and I have never been more in shape in my entire life!”
If you know of someone who would be interested in hearing about this study, visit the CANCER Online Journal newsroom where the article will soon publish to: http://www.canceronlinejournal.com/newsroom(opens in a new tab)
