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ALLABOUTBLACKHEALTH.COM
Women's
Health
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At first she didn't like the idea of breast
reconstruction
By Carl Gilbert, M.D.
On the verge of losing her breast to cancer, Claudia, 36, a model, did not
want to hear about having a new breast. As a matter of
fact, the first surgeon
she went to see did not mention breast reconstruction to her at all...
When Claudia came to see me for a second surgical opinion, she was in denial.
After her examination and reviewing her case, I confirmed the diagnosis of breast
cancer, and the need for her to have a mastectomy since she was not a
candidate for breast salvage operation. I discussed all aspects of treatment
with her, including breast reconstruction.
She started to cry, showing the mask of fear on her youngish, beautiful ebony
face. I let her sit for a while, respecting her deep thoughts and feelings.
She suddenly stood up as though she wanted to leave the office.
I came to realize she was strongly against the breast reconstruction even when
she had accepted the fact she had breast cancer and would have to lose her
breast. Her arguments: no foreign body in her body; not willing to have life
long side-effects from those silicone implants as she had heard in the news;
not ready to have a “crooked” posture like those women who had had belly
muscle transplant (TRAM procedure). In short, she had all the misconceived,
prejudged ideas about breast reconstruction.
I did my best to convince her favorably to the contrary. I even told her that
that breast reconstruction in some studies has been shown to improve survival
in breast cancer, almost the same way as does good psychological support.
After a while, Claudia’s face started to brighten, her fear seemed to have
faded away. The shadow of a smile appeared on her face when she told me as she
was leaving the office: “ See you Doc, in surgery.” Click
here for more breast cancer treatment
Breast
reconstruction
Clockwise:
In the first box, patient shown with mastectomy scar.
Box #2 shows skin and muscles of the chest lifted to form a
pocket for insertion of an implant.
In box #3, a cross section view of the implant under the chest
muscle.
In box #4, a view of the reconstructed
breast with nipple and areola also reconstructed.
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