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Breast
Reconstruction
After a mastectomy, some
women decide to wear a breast form (prosthesis).
Others prefer to have breast reconstruction, either at the
same time as the mastectomy or later on. Each option has its
pros and cons, and what is right for one woman may not be
right for another. What is important is that nearly every
woman treated for breast cancer has choices. It is best to
consult with a plastic surgeon before the mastectomy, even if
reconstruction will be considered later on.
Various procedures are used
to reconstruct the breast. Some use implants (either saline or
silicone); others use tissue moved from another part of the
woman's body. Concerns about the safety of silicone breast
implants have restricted their use to clinical trials approved
by the Food and Drug Administration. Women interested in
having silicone implants should talk with their doctor about
enrolling in one of these trials. A woman's age, body type,
and the type of cancer treatment she had help determine which
type of reconstruction is best. The women should ask the
plastic surgeon to explain the risks and benefits of each type
of reconstruction. The National Cancer Institute booklet Understanding
Breast Cancer Treatment: A Guide for Patients contains
more information about breast reconstruction. The Cancer
Information Service can suggest other sources of information
about breast reconstruction and can tell callers how to
contact breast cancer support groups. Members of such groups
are often willing to share their personal experiences with
breast reconstruction.
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