October 13, 2017
Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day is a unique initiative designed to promote education, awareness and access to post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. BRA Day events are being held all over Canada, including an Oct. 18 event in Calgary.
Story by Kristin Whitworth; photo provided
When you’re told you need to have your breast surgically removed because of cancer (a mastectomy), what will be put in its place is often the furthest thing from your mind.
Thinking about what to do after surgery, including whether or not to have reconstruction, is overshadowed by thinking about the actual mastectomy.
“Breast reconstruction is an important surgery that needs to be a part of overall breast cancer care,” says Dr. Matthew Parliament, Interim Medical Director, CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services (AHS). “We heard from patients that a mastectomy is what saved their life; reconstruction is what gave their life back.”
AHS wants to make post-operative choices part of the pre-operative conversation. Cancer and plastic surgeons, oncologists and operational leaders are working together, and with patients, to take action on improving care.
Patients and surgeons have raised issues regarding breast reconstruction, including lack of information, long waits to see a surgeon and a lack of provincial data on breast reconstruction surgeries.
In May 2017, AHS incorporated patient feedback into a Provincial Breast Health Initiative and breast health pathway, which will be rolled out over the coming year and aims to improve breast cancer reconstructive care in Alberta.
“The plan includes recommendations on how to offer new ways of delivering appropriate and timely education about breast reconstruction options and treatment, provide support so women can make an informed decision that is right for them and ensure women receive the most appropriate care before and after surgery,” says Barbara O’Neill, Senior Provincial Director, Cancer & Critical Care Strategic Clinical Networks, AHS.
Goals of the initiative include:
For breast cancer survivor Shelley Moore, support to make an informed decision that was right for her was vital.
“At one of my post-op visits, my surgeon asked if I was interested in reconstruction,” said Moore. “I told her no, I didn't think I needed it. I thought I would be fine without it. She suggested I think about it, that it was an option - soon or anytime in the future.”
After thinking more about it, Moore asked for a plastic surgeon referral and underwent bilateral reconstruction.
“For me, reconstruction has been a game changer,” says Moore. “I don't look down and see what's missing. I don't see a scar that reminds me of breast cancer. The scars are there; but after reconstruction, I am on my way to becoming whole again.”
In Alberta, approximately one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer within their lifetime. Between 2005 and 2014, there were 8824 women with cancer who received a mastectomy in Alberta, 80 percent of which did not have reconstructive surgery.
“Breast reconstruction is a very personal choice,” says Dr. Parliament. “We will continue to do what we can to improve access to breast reconstruction services, but we also want women facing breast cancer to know her options, and encourage breast cancer patients and their families to attend the Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day.”
Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day is a unique initiative designed to promote education, awareness and access to post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. BRA Day events are being held all over Canada, including an Oct. 18 event in Calgary:
For more information visit http://www.bra-day.com/canadian-bra-day-events/
