There was a discussion on Woman’s Hour today about breast reconstruction. The focus was new research from the US which suggests that reconstruction with mastectomy doesn’t interfere with chemo or rads and the other way round and may be the best option for many. They also discussed front vs back as the source and the benefits of body tissue over implants and the fact that additional surgery may be needed. The lack of plastic surgeons was mentioned as a problem in many parts of the country.
Anyone interested should be able to listen via the Radio 4 website and it might be included in the Saturday afternoon highlights.
Heard most of the article (thanks for the heads up, SCACO!) and it was very interesting. Well worth a listen, and the questioning was particularly insightful, given that Jenni Murray has herself had breast cancer.
Thanks for drawing our attention to it Cheryl.
I listened to it on iplayer. I was lucky enough not to need a Mx (just WLE, SNB, chemo, rads and Arimidex) I too thought it was well done and very interesting. Well worth a listen if you haven’t already heard it.
Just downloaded this from the woman’s hour website and bumping up for others
Having had mastectomy and immediate reconstruction before chemo and rads I was surprised that such a low percentage of women go for this option. I will be 1 year post surgery in Sept and whilst I do not have my full upper body strength back I am very happy with the result. Whether the low percent is due to a lack of surgeons in some areas I am not sure but would encourage others to make sure that they are offered this as an option.
Redrobin, I specifically asked for immediate recon and was told I couldn’t as I would have to have RADs; I now can’t have recon due to Herceptin. So it isn’t always a case of having an option. I hate being one-breasted and hate the fact that they won’t even consider me for surgery until Junbe 2012 when Herceptin is finished
This is another example of either postcode lottery, or how different mdt teams view recon. I had an immediate recon even though we knew that rads couldn’t be ruled out. It turns out that I do have to have them.
This was a calculated risk I took. My PS was of the opinion that even if some shrinkage and encapsulation occurred and, down the line, I have to go under the knife again, I will still end up with a better cosmetic result than if I’d had delayed recon - and only one major op with all the attendant risks instead of two.
I too had a wait. Mastectomy 2009, chemo, rads and herceptin. I have just had reconstruction and I have to say it has been worth the wait.It is a big operation, I finished Herceptin in Feb. Had reconstruction beginning of June. I have not listened to the Woman’s Hour programme yet, but look forward to hearing the debate.
Thanks for the heads-up; I’ve just had a listen. I don’t know yet how radical my surgery will be but my Oncy has mentioned a recon. I’m not seeing my surgeon again until chemo is finished at end of September.
The comment that an LD flap meant that the recipient could no longer go skiing or play tennis was a bit of a shocker.
Thank you for posting this - just listened to programme. I had a mastectomy with immediate LD flap reconstruction last month as it was thought unlikely I would need radiotherapy. It now turns out radiotherapy is on the cards, after my chemo that starts next week. So it is reassuring to know that radiotherapy doesn’t always destroy the good work that has been achieved so far. I also wanted to say that I thought after having this operation I would be out of action for a long time recovering, but my experience has been very different. After a the first week of mostly bed rest, I felt myself improving everyday. My back got tired quite frequently during the first few weeks at home, but has improved significantly. I am now a month post op and I really feel back to normal. I don’t need any pain relief, I do all the normal stuff around the house even pick up my 2 year old when he needs carrying. I realise everyone has their own recovery time and individual experience, but I wanted to post this as my experience really has been on the whole a positive one.
My LD flap was on the left side and I am right handed, so not such an issue for me - but I’m back riding horses, mucking out, gardening, five months on. I’m sure I could ski OK too.
Mine also was left side and I’m right handed so was easier to get by I am 5weeks post op and very glad my surgeons went for immeadiate reconstruction with diep flap I feel really well and have had no pain killers since leaving hospital I do not see myself as someone who takes pain well so must be just normal I took it very easy in the first4weeks and my wounds are healing very well.I start chemotherapy in 10days with hercetin at some point and radio after chemotherapy finishes
Hope this helps and thank you to DJ007as I have a lovely horse and had been told all sorts of stories so glad to hear you are back to riding somwill I be hopefully
Nancy