Creating a Miracle With Mastectomy

"What one should know about mastectomy? Breast cancer is reportedly the fourth leading cause of death next to prostate, skin, and lung cancer. The chances of survival remain uncertain as to the number of treatments and prevention involved. However, the advancement of medical technology has led to increasing chances of early detection and treatment of breast cancer. One of these modern medical treatments is mastectomy.

Mastectomy is a medical term for the “surgical removal of one or both breasts as a treatment for breast cancer.” The removal of breast can be done partially or completely depending on the patient’s stage (severity of breast cancer). This surgery is highly recommended to patients with large tumors.

Why women prefer this treatment? Patients, who wish not to undergo risky breast cancer operations such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and lumpectomy, choose mastectomy as their means of survival. Some women choose mastectomy because they strongly fear the recurrence of lymph and malignant tumors in their breast. Also, patients become more uncomfortable in keeping their breasts after a series of treatments. In this case, they prefer mastectomy, so the entire breast will be removed.

Studies have proved that 83% of women who have undergone mastectomy were satisfied with the results of their decision. Although this is good news, one should be sufficiently informed about the potential risks and after-effects of this treatment.

What are the risks of mastectomy? The risks of mastectomy include numbness, tingling, and increased skin sensitivity. Some women report “phantom breast symptoms,” where itching, aching, and other sensations in the removed breast are experienced. The scarring around lymph nodes also results in decreased arm mobility. Around 10% to 20% of patients develop “lymphedema” after axillary lymph node removal. Lymphedema is the swelling of the arm and requires continuous treatment. This complication can arise any time, even years after surgery. It can be treated with elevation, elastic bandages, and physical therapy. Aftercare

A patient is expected to rest for months and take precautionary measures. One should avoid intense physical activities such as driving, swimming, taekwondo, etc. If severe pain is encountered, a visit to the surgeon should be scheduled 7 to 10 days after the procedure. Emotional care is another important aspect of recovery from a mastectomy. Patients are advised to seek counseling and/or support groups and to express their emotions to others, whether family, friends, or therapists. Another thing that can regain a patient’s confidence is her wearing of mastectomy breast forms or post mastectomy bras.

When a patient chooses not to have breast reconstruction, a mastectomy bra is designed to provide symmetry to their body. Mastectomy bras are available in different forms, namely: jodee breast forms, silicone breast form and anita mastectomy bra.

These bras are especially designed to keep the breast prosthesis or silicone forms in place. It allows the prostheses to move like a normal set of breasts. The silicone breast form is placed inside the bra’s pocket, where it is held firmly in place against the body for a natural symmetry. "