Now, keep up to date
with daily feeds of newly posted stories
about America's Seniors...click on the box
to the left
Are
Breast Cancer Patients being kept in the
dark?
Plastic Surgeons show support, rally for a
Woman's Right to Choose
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.,
July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.
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.
... ..
...
...