Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day Sheds Light On Important Issue

October 21, 2015 marked the fourth annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day. The first-ever event took place in San Francisco on October 17, 2012, but has since expanded to include 175 events in all 50 states nationwide.

“Breast reconstruction following a mastectomy or lumpectomy is not for every woman,” states the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Plastic Surgery Foundation, “but every woman should be informed of the options to which she is legally entitled. The events are designed to help raise awareness and close the loop on breast cancer.”

This year, events ranged from educational lectures and fitness activities to bra-decorating contests and spa days.

Breast reconstruction awareness day events in NY

This year, New York City residents were able to attend two BRA Day events, including:

• A free educational symposium led by Dr. Mark L. Smith, Chief of the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Plastic Surgery Department, which explored the advanced breast reconstruction options women now have, including a Q&A session with expert plastic surgeons, as well as a “Show and Tell” segment where breast cancer patients spoke of their experiences.
• Two live events and a webinar titled, “Facing Our risk of Cancer Empowered,” which consisted of presentations by plastic surgeons, in addition to a “Show and Tell” portion where women answer questions about their mastectomy and reconstruction experiences. Kathy Steligo, author of The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook, was available to answer questions.

Many women unaware of breast reconstruction options

Getting a breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy has become the “gold standard” for breast cancer patients, according to NYC plastic surgeons like Dr. Joshua Levine of the New York Center for the Advancement of Breast Reconstruction and private practitioner Dr. B. Aviva Preminger.

However, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that only 30 percent of women are made aware of reconstruction options before their mastectomies. In progressive states like Ohio and New York, it has become a law that doctors must inform patients of their rights before the surgery takes place.

NYC breast reconstruction surgery

“The vast majority of women are able to receive breast implants or undergo a fat transfer procedure at the same time as cancer removal,” states Dr. B. Aviva Preminger, a board-certified breast reconstruction specialist who operates her own practice in NYC. “In the past, women were told to wait to ensure the cancer was gone before moving on with life. Now, we see that the complication rates extremely low and the results are actually better if we proceed with the reconstruction at the same time as removal.”

Breast cancer patients can find compassionate care at the office of Dr. B. Aviva Preminger, an Ivy League educated Manhattan plastic surgeon and mother of three. She says that a hospital stay of two to six days is standard, but most patients are feeling “back to themselves” and participating in all regular activities again by six to eight weeks.

Call 212-706-1900 or stop by Dr. Preminger’s Park Avenue suite to schedule a private consultation.