Plastic surgeon Dr. Lisa Korus of Edmonton promises to get to the “nitty-gritty” issues of breast reconstruction awareness at an event aptly named BRA Day, to be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Lisa Korus of Edmonton promises to get to the “nitty-gritty” issues of breast reconstruction awareness at an event aptly named BRA Day, to be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18 in the old Provincial Museum building on 102 Avenue.
Similar BRA days will be hosted by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in different cities across the country. Korus will chair the event in Edmonton.
There are two portions to the evening. The first half will feature lectures from surgeons. The second portion will be an opportunity to mingle and to talk to surgeons as well as to women, who have had breast reconstruction surgery.
Breast reconstruction is not always an option, but women are not always aware that such surgery could be available for them, Korus said.
“Across Canada the rates are low with only three to 15 per cent of women who have had mastectomies getting reconstructive surgery. It may be that they don't know about it or it is not offered,” she said.
Whether reconstructive surgery is available will depend on the kind of cancer the woman had, how advanced it was and whether follow-up treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy has already taken place.
“The number one goal is to be sure the cancer has been dealt with. Some may have the reconstructive surgery at the same time as the mastectomy,” Korus said.
There are two usual ways in which the surgery is done. Women may choose to have tissue taken from their belly to construct the replacement breast or instead, they might choose to have an implant.
“Breast surgery using belly tissue is a big investment. It takes an entire day of surgery and five days in a bed in the hospital plus five to six weeks of recovery. The implant surgery is usually day surgery, but there may be the need for several doctor's visits beforehand to do tissue expansion to allow room for the implant,” she said, adding that there is no right or wrong surgery, but rather the decision is up to the patient.
“I don't tell patients whether one surgery is better for them than the other. Instead I tell them their options,” she said.
While the reconstructed breast will look as close as possible to the patient's own breast, it can never replace nature.
“We can never make the same breast she had before. It will not have the same sensation and will never have the same amount of feeling because we don't reconstruct damaged nerve endings,” Korus said.
After the lectures the audience will be invited to visit the displays, including a for-women-only “show and tell” room. Women who have previously had reconstructive breast surgery will be there to explain their surgery experience.
“You will be able to see what reconstructive breast surgery looks like,” Korus said.
A mock surgical unit will be set up where visitors will see what happens if they choose to have an operation.
“It's a great chance for people to talk to someone about what happens and about their options. It's not a medical consultation. For that you need a referral from a family physician, but there will be lots of general information available,” Korus said.
For more information about BRA Day, visit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation site or visit braday.com. The event is free, and men are welcome to all but the show and tell portion of the evening. Pre-registration is required on the http://www.bra-day.com/ website, because last year it was filled to capacity.
