Also On Wellness
Posts by David T Greenspun, MD, MSc
On January 26th, 2011, the FDA reported that it identified a possible association between breast implants and the development of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. While ALCL is not breast cancer, it is a malignancy that women considering breast implants should be aware of. While the FDA continues to allow the sale and use of approved breast implants, the...
2/15/2011 7:49:50 PM
WHAT IS BREAST CANCER? Breast cancer occurs when cells of the breast grow in an unrestrained or abnormal manner, increasing both in size and in number. Cancer cells can interfere with the normal function of the breast and can also spread to other parts of the body. With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women; about one in eight will have a diagnosis...
1/29/2011 1:27:42 PM
Natural tissue from a woman's own body, when used for breast reconstruction, provides the most durable and natural results possible today. Natural-tissue reconstruction is also called autologous breast reconstruction. STATE-OF-THE-ART APPROACHES TO BREAST RECONSTRUCTION Living tissue that is surgically relocated from one part of the body to another is called a "flap." One of the most important factors...
1/29/2011 1:22:47 PM
Breast implants can be used for either cosmetic breast augmentation in women who have not undergone mastectomy or for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Inherent problems with their use in breast reconstruction makes breast reconstruction with implants very different than breast augmentation with breast implants. Why is there such a difference when both procedures use implants? First, women who...
1/25/2011 8:02:08 AM
Breast reconstruction can restore the form of a woman's breasts, and-not surprisingly-countless studies have demonstrated important emotional and psychological benefits for women who choose to have breast reconstruction. Today, there are better options for breast reconstruction than ever before. Women who have undergone or plan to undergo mastectomy often face considerable emotional and psychological...
1/25/2011 7:47:46 AM
The BRCA genes function to keep breast cells growing normally and to prevent cancer-cell growth. Scientists have identified mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene that can make someone susceptible to developing breast and/or ovarian cancer at some point in their life. When these genes contain the mutations, they do not function normally, and cancer risk increases. Mutations in these genes can be passed...
1/8/2011 7:38:25 PM
Women considering mastectomy to treat breast cancer or for risk reduction (prophylactic mastectomy) may be candidates for innovative procedures that can significantly improve the appearance of their reconstructed breasts. Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) or as it is also known, nipple-preserving mastectomy, though not presently as widely performed as skin-sparing mastectomy, is the most cutting-edge...
1/8/2011 7:22:36 PM
It can feel devastating to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer, and to face the possibility of mastectomy, and choosing a breast restoration option can feel overwhelming. Each method of reconstruction has its own benefits and risks. Understanding these differences will help you feel more secure as you make an informed decision about the kind of breast reconstruction that will be best for you. Questions...
1/6/2011 7:57:08 AM
Today, there are better options for breast reconstruction than ever before. Women who have undergone or plan to undergo mastectomy often face considerable emotional and psychological challenges. Breast reconstruction can help restore a woman's physical form and significantly improve quality of life. For women who wish to use their own tissue, rather than a breast implant, for reconstruction after mastectomy,...
1/6/2011 7:44:05 AM