HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · SEPTEMBER 2018
Geeta Thadani from Infinite Love , David Alvarado from Guns and Hoses ,
David Perez , administrator for Comfort House and Marcia Gonzalez from Pink Positive
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Ridding our patients of cancer is priority one . Obviously . But it ’ s not the only priority . With breast cancer , physical scars intersect with emotional and psychological wounds . Surgery to remove cancer is more straightforward . Clinical considerations lead the way , but we also consider breast preservation and physical appearance . Advanced techniques like hidden scar or nipple sparing surgery are possible options for some patients . Ultimately , whether a patient undergoes a mastectomy , lumpectomy , or lymph node surgery , and whether in combination with chemotherapy and / or radiation , our priority is making the patient cancer free .
TIMING OF RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Breast reconstructive surgery can be performed immediately after mastectomy , or it can be delayed for some time . We recommend that patients include a plastic surgeon in their team of physicians as early in their treatment as possible so that their chosen method of breast reconstruction can be incorporated into the overall treatment plan .
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY OPTIONS
Decisions about reconstructive surgery blend medical with deeply personal concerns . For some women , the desire to look and feel as “ normal ” as possible post-cancer is vitally important . Their range of options includes saline and silicone implants or some form of flap surgery . Those procedures use back , buttock , or abdomen tissue to reconstruct breasts , with nipple reconstruction and / or tattooing available to complete the process in some cases .
Some women opt for proactive surgery on the opposite , non-cancerous breast for symmetry . Breast reconstruction surgery has become increasingly refined and can be successfully accomplished in almost all women treated with mastectomy . The goal of breast reconstruction surgery is to create a breast that matches the opposite breast . This can be accomplished by using a breast implant alone , by actually reconstructing the breast with the patient ’ s own tissue , or by utilizing a combination of these two techniques .
DECLINING FURTHER SURGERIES
Other women decline reconstructive surgery altogether to avoid more medical procedures following cancer treatment . Some women choose to “ go flat ” in order to prioritize exercise , an active lifestyle , or to spend more time with their families .
EVERY PATIENT IS UNIQUE
For every breast cancer patient confronting these decisions , it is important to get complete information from your medical teams about all options . While you should trust your oncology team , you should also be comfortable with your treatment plan every step of the way .
LIFE AFTER CANCER
Celebrating cancer survival is one of the reasons I helped start the Texas Oncology – McAllen Cancer Awareness Ride , Walk , and Run fundraising event 11 years ago . The event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support personal and family living expenses for local cancer survivors in need . This year ’ s event on Saturday morning , Oct . 6 , includes a 20- , 40- , or 60-mile bicycle ride , a 2.5- or 4.5-mile walk , and a 5K run . To register or obtain more information , visit https :// endurancesplits . webconnex . com / 11th-Annual-Breast-Cancer- Awareness-Walk / Run / Ride- . If attending , remember to thank local law enforcement and firefighters from Guns and Hoses for volunteering their services at this event .
While survivorship is the ultimate goal , some patients require hospice care . That is why we partner with local hospice care provider , Comfort House , which provides support for individuals needing hospice .
OUR PLEDGE TO PATIENTS
The swirl of clinical , emotional , and lifestyle circumstances comprises a unique and personal decision for women diagnosed with breast cancer . Our pledge is to fully inform our patients about the risks and benefits , and to support them in whatever choice they make .
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