Search Results for: reconstruction

The Lymphedema Link: Understanding Breast Reconstruction We will dive into breast reconstruction, lymphedema, and surgical lymphedema prevention with Dr. Michelle Coriddi, Plastic and Reconstruction Surgeon from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

New Developments in Breast Reconstruction Surgery with Deborah Axelrod M.D. and Rachel Bluebond-Langner M.D. June 20, 2017 Joann Guerilus Experts Deborah Axelrod, MD, of NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, and Rachel Bluebond-Langner, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center, discuss the latest research in autologous breast reconstruction, fat injection, pre-pectoral implants, and oncoplastic surgery.

In 2009 when I was facing a breast cancer diagnosis and a double mastectomy there was one silver lining in my dark cancer cloud: I could choose to have my breasts reconstructed. "Choose" is an important word with a cancer diagnosis because none of us choose to have cancer. But we face many choices for surgery, treatment and reconstruction.

SHARE volunteer Megan Rutherford describes her decision not to have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.  I was lucky. Because I had my bilateral mastectomy after chemotherapy, I had ample time to consider my options, a luxury many breast cancer patients don't have.

When I realized I needed to have a double mastectomy, I couldn't decide whether or not to have reconstruction as well. I talked to a friend of a friend who had opted not to have reconstruction; she was very comfortable with her decision, but she described herself as concave rather than just flat.

A recent article in the New York Times referred to a study showing that women who'd had reconstructive surgery reported higher quality of life than women who opted not to have reconstruction after a mastectomy. We were puzzled by that, since reconstruction prolongs physical recovery and sometimes results in complications.

At age 39, Miranda found a lump in her breast and was told it was nothing, which lead to a new lump 6 months later and a diagnosis of Stage 3 hormone positive IDC. What followed was a year that included chemotherapy, a double mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction, and radiation.

Why did you decide to be a SHARE Breast Cancer Helpline Volunteer? I decided to become a SHARE Breast Cancer Helpline Volunteer to reciprocate the warmth and support I received from the breast cancer community.  Along with my physicians and nurses at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center there have been so many survivors and thrivers that have helped me along my breast cancer journey.

This is part of our "Meet a Volunteer" series, highlighting the incredible ovarian and breast cancer survivors and thrivers who volunteer with SHARE to support other women facing these diseases. If you're interested in becoming a volunteer yourself, click here!   1.    Why did you decide to be a SHARE Breast Cancer Helpline volunteer? I want to give hope to those newly diagnosed, particularly to those who are young and have been diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer and/or advanced stage breast cancer.

Breast cancer survivor Sylvia Moritz shares how breast cancer forced her to learn that self-care isn't seflish—it's a necessity.