October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as such, the staff and surgeons at the Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery want to remind women everywhere to complete a monthly home screening - It's for better health and early detection of breast cancer.

Did you know that in 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 57,650 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer? Statistics also show that approximately 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop an invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Those are some statistics that are not easily ignored, nor should they be.

Home self examinations are easy to do too, many physicians offices have shower cards or pamphlets. Websites like healthywomen.org even offer free information by download, or you can even order a free shower card with paid shipping costs. So get your card today for a full explanation of how to conduct your exam.

A breast self exam is easy to do though. There are three basic ways to conduct your breast self-examination - In front of a mirror, in the shower and lying down. With all three methods, you are checking for changes in the size or shape of your breast, dimpling, puckering, redness, scaliness or changes in shape, size, texture or skin color. Also notice if any discharge is present.

Monthly examinations are quick, and help you be more aware of any changes. If you notice changes, contact your health care provider immediately for a thorough examination and necessary treatment.

After Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer

If you are a breast cancer survivor, breast reconstruction can be performed at the time of a mastectomy or years later into the healing process. Every woman's breast cancer experience is unique so breast reconstruction treatments should also be unique. CPRS understands that and has compassionate surgeons with years of experience to assist our patients.

"When meeting my surgeon and his staff we discussed my breast cancer diagnosis diagnosis and I learned about my options. I felt we were in this together. Everything was handled with kindness and professionalism." ~ CPRS patient

Through several plastic surgery techniques, breast reconstruction after a mastectomy can restore a breast to its near normal shape, appearance and size. In this video, Dr. Paul Izenberg demonstrates breast reconstruction and various approaches using BRANDI - a Breast Reconstructive Anatomical Doll Instructress designed by Dr. Izenberg. Dr. Richard Beil also answers your questions about breast reconstruction after a mastectomy in this brief video for WXYZ with Lila Lazarus.

If you are a breast cancer survivor who has been contemplating breast reconstructive surgery, trust the team of experienced surgeons at the Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. They are artistically talented, technically skilled and compassionate, addressing your unique needs during or after a mastectomy. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call our office 734-712-2323.


Sources:
www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics 
www.healthywomen.org