In recent years, breast reconstruction has become a fully-fledged part of breast cancer treatment so that the woman, in addition to recovering from the disease, can also resume a completely normal life, being able to feel comfortable in any situation. So much so that the surgery is paid for by the National Health Service.

The need that is felt ever more urgently, especially now that the disease is becoming more and more treatable, is that it should leave as few consequences as possible, also from an aesthetic point of view. Therefore, even when total mastectomy is necessary, a solution is sought so that the woman does not experience it as a mutilation.

The timetable for reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is naturally subordinate to the treatment of the underlying disease, which must always be the primary objective. Having said this, today, as far as possible, reconstruction is preferred already during the operation to remove the tumour. Unfortunately, this is not always possible and, especially if the woman has to go through cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it may be advisable to wait until the end of treatment before starting reconstruction.

Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction can take place in different ways, depending on the size and position of the removed lump, the configuration of the breast, the woman's physique and her requirements.

Breast implants currently on the market are used for both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. They all have a silicone outer shell and a silicone gel content that has evolved greatly over the years, allowing them to take on a shape that is as natural as possible.

As an alternative to reconstruction with prostheses, it is possible to choose lipofilling, a technique used in cosmetic surgery that allows the breast to be filled with fat suctioned from other parts of the body, suitably treated and purified, and re-implanted directly into the breast with micro-needles.

The psychological aspect

As we have already mentioned, thanks to the newest surgical techniques, today it is often possible to combine reconstructive plastic surgery with oncological surgery. The aim is to make breast surgery less traumatic for women with breast cancer. this is a very delicate aspect of oncological medicine, because it includes psychological aspects that link mastectomy surgery to a wounded female identity.

The results

After the operation, most women are satisfied with the result, although the symmetry between the two breasts usually cannot be perfect. Indeed, one must consider that the reconstruction or remodelling of a breast from which a tumour has been removed is a very different thing from the retouching required for aesthetic reasons. One should not have unrealistic expectations, but we can safely say that the results that can be obtained today are very satisfactory.

Bra Day

Every year, the month of October is dedicated to the prevention of breast cancer and raising awareness among women on this issue. A few days ago, on 17 October, Bra Day (Breast Reconstruction Awareness) was also specifically celebrated. This is International Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day with the aim of disseminating correct and complete information on breast reconstructive surgery techniques that are still not as well known as they should be.