Advanced Search
Current and Breaking News for Professionals, Consumers and Media



Click here to learn how to advertise on this site and for ad rates.

Cancer Issues Author: Last Updated: Jul 7, 2009 - 3:03:55 PM



Are Breast Cancer Patients Being Kept in the Dark?

By
Jul 7, 2009 - 3:00:47 PM



Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Ezine
For Email Marketing you can trust


Email this article
 Printer friendly page
Plastic Surgeons Show Support, Rally For A Woman's Right To Choose

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Arlington Heights, Ill. - Despite the increase of breast reconstruction procedures performed in 2008, nearly 70 percent of women who are eligible for the procedure are not informed of the reconstructive options available to them, according to a recently published report. Newly released statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows there were more than 79,000 breast reconstruction procedures performed in 2008 - a 39 percent increase over 2007. But in spite of this, current research suggests that many breast cancer patients are missing out on a key conversation that should take place at the time of diagnosis.

"Women need to understand all of their options to make an informed decision," said ASPS President John Canady, MD. "Those who are diagnosed should be immediately referred to a full team of physicians that can provide breast care, and plastic surgeons need to be included as part of that treatment team."

Taking the position that every woman deserves the right to choose which, if any reconstruction option is best for her, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is launching an ongoing effort to bring public awareness to breast reconstruction issues, including education, access, and a team approach. Because early involvement by plastic surgeons and other physicians can allow development of an optimum treatment plan for each individual patient, collaboration amongst specialties is essential. As such, ASPS suggests that primary care, general surgery, radiology, pathology, oncology, gynecology, and plastic surgery be available from the onset of treatment to ensure the greatest possible outcome for the patient.

It is also important that patients actively participate in their treatment. Though a common misconception, eligible patients should not assume that anyone other than a board-certified plastic surgeon affiliated with an accredited facility is qualified to perform breast reconstruction. While technology has made breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction better than ever, it does not negate the need for medical expertise within each specific area of care.

Among the factors contributing to patient awareness and understanding, specific education regarding the options for breast reconstruction is often lacking. Therefore, in the coming months, ASPS will reach out to women through a variety of materials, ranging from information cards and online videos, to an ad campaign featured online and in the waiting-room publication produced by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

"We know that there are many issues surrounding breast reconstruction and that addressing them all will take time, but this is a very important first step," said Dr. Canady. "Our goal is to make sure that those women who are not getting breast reconstruction are doing so of their own accord and not because they are uneducated or uninformed about their options."

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 7,000 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. For more information, visit www.plasticsurgery.org/choices.

Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and be eligible for Health News, discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7.
HealthNewsDigest.com


Top of Page

HealthNewsDigest.com

Cancer Issues
Latest Headlines


+ Breast Cancer Effectively Treated with Chemical Found in Celery and Parsley by MU Researchers
+ Large-scale Study Finds Treatment Standard for Rare Cancer
+ Cancer Experts Offer Seasonal Advice for Safer Grilling
+ Cancer Vaccine Combination Therapy Shows Survival Benefit in Breast Cancer
+ Colon Cancer, for Years Considered an Older Person’s Disease, is Inexplicably Becoming More Common in Young Adults
+ Increasing Skin Cancer Risk
+ Men Over 50 Need to Get in The Swing of Preventing and Detecting Skin Cancer
+ Cancer Experts Detail Treatments Using TrueBeam System to Reduce Number of Treatment Sessions
+ Cancer Care: Program Launches to Help Evaluate Treatment Decisions
+ How to Lower Your Risk of Skin Cancer



Contact Us | Job Listings | Help | Site Map | About Us
Advertising Information | HND Press Release | Submit Information | Disclaimer

Site hosted by Sanchez Productions