Breast reconstruction awareness is an LA surgeon’s mission. He says that cancer surgeries don’t always have to be disfiguring.
A Los Angeles plastic surgeon is on a mission to raise awareness among politicians and breast cancer patients of a procedure called skin-sparing mastectomy.
Dr. Joel Aronowitz, founder of the Breast Preservation Foundation, recently visited the offices of several congressmen in Washington, DC, about the need to promote this technique. A skin-sparing mastectomy involves removing cancerous tissue from a woman’s breast by making the incision near the nipple. This leaves most of the breast skin in place, without scarring. Surgeons can then replace the missing tissue inside with implants, or with transplanted tissue.
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Dr. Aronowitz published a 2008 study finding that more than one-third of breast surgeons in his home state still do not use the skin-sparing mastectomy technique.
During his visit to the nation’s capitol, he explained how the procedure can effectively treat breast cancer without disfiguring the patient.
He also said many women avoid early screening for breast cancer because they’re afraid of having scars after an operation. But with the skin-sparing technique, scarring would be less of an issue.
As the health care debate rages on, Dr. Aronowitz told the congressmen that they should consider more health education programs that address breast cancer.
rob responded:
my girlfriend opted for a double mascetomy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast – whe went throughyt the skin spaing surgry – three years later the cancer returned – they beliee it has to do with cancer cells that remained in the “skin – BAD BAD IDEA
Joel responded:
Very sad to have a recurrance, but this can occur regardless of type mastectomy performed. Any skin close to the cancer should be removed regardless of the mastectomy. However, cancer arises in the breast tissue and not the skin. The skin should be preserved and incisions made to give to best cosmetic result.
Nancy responded:
In previous years I had a biopsy that revealed atypical ductal hyperplasia in my left breast. Just a few months after, my 83 yo mother was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma in her right breast resulting in a mastectomy (traditional). Since then I have had general surgery on my left breast again with a guide being place before surgery (the lump in question collapsed upon insertion). On another occasion I was sent to the radiology department at the local hospital with a guidewire being placed in my right breast, no surgery, the lump in question collapse upon insertion. I have been referred by my local family practitioner’s ofc to a cancer center in Greenville, NC because of another recent lump in my right breast that is labeled as a Category 4 on the chart for suspicion, although not of cancer. My mother is the only member of my family I know of who has had breast cancer. But at this point, I am so tired of this whole thing I am to the point of going ahead with a double mastectomy just for peace of mind. However, at 29, I elected to have my uterus removed based on advice given to me by a second opinion physician. I have had nothing but female after female issue since then – I am approaching my 47th birthday December 25th. I have consulted with my OBGYN and am having a laparoscopy done this Friday, the 4th, with the agreement that should something be questionable to remove my ovaries. I began menopause in March 09 and have suffered excruciting pain in the area of my right ovary periodically over the years but now with continued frequency over the last 3 months. It is so horrible to always been in pain, not to be able to have anything near my breasts because they are ALWAYS sore. I have grandchildren that are very affectionate and it is sometimes very painful to hold them close or to pick them up because my right side in the addominal region is so painful.
Desperate.