Cancer Doesn't Have To Mean Loss Of Breast
Women With Breast Cancer Have Several Options
UPDATED: 9:51 a.m. EST February 21, 2002
CLEVELAND -- Having a breast removed is a traumatic experience for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, but there are alternatives.
Many women are afraid to get screened for breast cancer, because they're afraid that if cancer is found, they will lose their breast.
"Cancer was in my breast," one patient said. "It spread to my self-esteem. Society spreads a contagious disease of what beauty should mean for me."
But these days, having breast cancer does not always mean having to live without a breast.
For example, in an operation called a lumpectomy, surgeons cut out the tumor and some tissue around it, but leave the rest of the breast.
And even when a woman chooses to have a mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of the breast, she can chose to have a new breast reconstructed at the same time.
"The patient gets to wake up having a breast, a reconstructed breast on (her) body and not having to wake up with the shock of having nothing there but an incision," said Dr. Steve Goldman of University Hospitals in Cleveland.
Just weeks after the birth of her third daughter, Lisa Mack's greatest joy turned to fear.
Mack, 38, found out that she had breast cancer.
"I was really terrified," she said. "Breast cancer is something I thought I would never have. I don't fall into any of the risk categories whatsoever."
Mack chose a treatment that included having a mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time.
The procedure requires two surgeons: One removes the cancerous breast and the other removes a section of tissue from another part of the body, usually the belly.
The section of tissue with its blood supply still attached is tunneled under the skin and up to the place where the breast was removed.
A mound is formed with the relocated tissue and sewn into place.
Women without enough excess fat and tissue to build a breast can choose another method that involves artificial implants and a balloon-like expander that helps stretch the skin.
Not long after her mastectomy and reconstruction, Mack looks as great as she feels.
"Strangely enough, I saw her as someone who's even perhaps more appealing," said John Mack, her husband.
"I feel great as a woman," Lisa Mack said. "I don't feel as though anything is lacking or missing. I am beautiful, I am full of beauty (and) I am falling in love with my own imperfections."
Many women are afraid to get screened for breast cancer, because they're afraid that if cancer is found, they will lose their breast.
"Cancer was in my breast," one patient said. "It spread to my self-esteem. Society spreads a contagious disease of what beauty should mean for me."
But these days, having breast cancer does not always mean having to live without a breast.
For example, in an operation called a lumpectomy, surgeons cut out the tumor and some tissue around it, but leave the rest of the breast.
And even when a woman chooses to have a mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of the breast, she can chose to have a new breast reconstructed at the same time.
"The patient gets to wake up having a breast, a reconstructed breast on (her) body and not having to wake up with the shock of having nothing there but an incision," said Dr. Steve Goldman of University Hospitals in Cleveland.
Just weeks after the birth of her third daughter, Lisa Mack's greatest joy turned to fear.
Mack, 38, found out that she had breast cancer.
"I was really terrified," she said. "Breast cancer is something I thought I would never have. I don't fall into any of the risk categories whatsoever."
Mack chose a treatment that included having a mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time.
The procedure requires two surgeons: One removes the cancerous breast and the other removes a section of tissue from another part of the body, usually the belly.
The section of tissue with its blood supply still attached is tunneled under the skin and up to the place where the breast was removed.
A mound is formed with the relocated tissue and sewn into place.
Women without enough excess fat and tissue to build a breast can choose another method that involves artificial implants and a balloon-like expander that helps stretch the skin.
Not long after her mastectomy and reconstruction, Mack looks as great as she feels.
"Strangely enough, I saw her as someone who's even perhaps more appealing," said John Mack, her husband.
"I feel great as a woman," Lisa Mack said. "I don't feel as though anything is lacking or missing. I am beautiful, I am full of beauty (and) I am falling in love with my own imperfections."
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