We left off with the last post To Be or Not To Be (Rebuilt) Is That the Question?

What’s my reason for blogging about new advances in breast reconstruction if the procedure isn’t readily available?  You need information -- because most women are not exposed to changes in technology taking place in any phase of research related to breast cancer, diagnosis, treatment or the devastating effects that the disease and treatment create. Women are blindly following the advice of their physician at a time of intense fear – immediately following the discovery of breast cancer.  Fear and ignorance (different than stupidity – ignorance is a lack of information) drive women to “get it out” within days of a positive biopsy (sorry girls it’s been there growing for quite a while, a few days added to your planning process before surgery or treatment won’t stop metastasis.)  Physicians are still in ‘business’ ladies and they often want you to use them for your surgery and treatment. They know that the sooner they get you into the process --- you’ll be more likely to use their services instead of “shopping around”.  They don’t like women who ask questions. It takes too much time (remember your insurance company and the doctors practice-builder won’t let them spend more than 10-15 minutes with you or the visit isn’t generating the maximum revenue.)  They need you in and out and on the table, then off to the oncologist to determine if you’ll get radiation or chemo (there is a specific treatment recipe for your cancer type – and only that recipe will be approved by your insurance company. Don’t your dare try to cut steps or improvise or you won’t have coverage!)

Most women can’t “shop” for the ideal surgeon, or treatment center due to physical (geographical) and insurance restrictions.  But it always amazes me how fear causes so many to make rash, uneducated choices.  Women are starting to talk to plastic surgeons prior to lumpectomy and mastectomy to determine how they will rebuild their breasts post surgery. Unfortunately the current procedures (flap rebuilding, or implants) don’t give you your original shape back. You will not look like your do pre surgery. Also astounding is that women are opting for double mastectomy (taking the good breast with the bad) and re-building both as a breast cancer preventative. Fifty-six percent of double mastectomies believe this will prevent future cancer – even though studies find no survival advantage in removing the healthy breast.

Love it or hate it --- the practice of medicine still controls most.  The disease model (wait until disease happens – panic and try to save your life in the face of a dysfunctional body, assaulted by both disease and treatment) is ‘socially accepted’.  The general population walks around with the belief that their body only carries their head to and from a destination. Their body is responsible for itself and what we eat, what we do with it have nothing to do with getting sick – let alone cancer.  Good luck with that idea! 

Have you had an "interesting" situation with reconstruction or post diagnosis decision making? If so please share your experience.