Reconstruction or not

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iserbrown
iserbrown Member Posts: 5,552 ✭
in General discussion
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/posing-naked-after-my-mastectomy-made-me-accept-my-body-20221004-p5bn6h.html

Read this article with interest.   I did go down the Reconstruction path, not everyone does, it's a very personal thing


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  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,608 ✭
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    That would have been liberating for her!!

    I've always said that I wouldn't have reconstruction if I had mastectomy ..... but I guess you never really know, until you go thru it.  

    I've just saved it as a PDF, @iserbrown - as usually I can't 'see' newspapers as I am not subscribed ....  and there may be others who can't see it all.

     

  • Afraser
    Afraser Member Posts: 4,378 ✭
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    I read the article with interest too but 60% of Australian women choose reconstruction? I thought the Australian figures were much lower. A BCNA survey showed that 60% of BCNA members were anticipating reconstruction but I don’t think that figure holds for everyone. 

    As @iserbrown says, it’s a deeply personal thing. I didn’t go down that path, never felt very keen to do so and no regrets at all. But having the option is important. 
  • Keeping_positive1
    Keeping_positive1 Member Posts: 555 ✭
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    Do we have stats on those choosing mastectomy over lumpectomy, comparing Australia to USA?  My understanding is that the "trend" in the USA is to choose dmx over lumpectomies.  
  • Julez1958
    Julez1958 Member Posts: 1,134 ✭
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    I read somewhere that the percentage of Australian women having reconstruction after mastectomy was much lower than this ( and lower than in the UK or USA) but not sure where I read that.
    The decision is a very personal one but the important thing is for the medical team to raise it with the patient early when it appears a mastectomy is indicated.
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,608 ✭
    edited October 2022
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    I wonder what percentage of those who don't have Recons ... are from rural/regional/remote areas?   

    It often just costs too much - both in time away from the family as well as the loss of $$ (gap fees & if the partner is at the hospital too, unable to work or has to stay at home to look after the kids ....) 

    I believe that often, for those living outside of city areas - it would be easier for them to just say 'no' to recon ... :( 
  • June1952
    June1952 Member Posts: 1,834 ✭
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    ..... and often it is not even suggested to those being treated in regional areas as not all of the surgeons do recons.
    IF it is even discussed it often means a trip to metro areas and that is an additional cost and stress.
  • Keeping_positive1
    Keeping_positive1 Member Posts: 555 ✭
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    I was offered either a double lumpectomy or double mastectomy (my choice), but there was no mention of having a reconstruction if I chose a dmx.  Also no mention of the cooling cap, I think mainly because it was at ONJ and such a long list for those waiting to use a cooling cap and few available.  There are so many factors that can make it an obstacle to an otherwise choice we may have/had made, as @June1952 and @arpie state.  We still have a long way to go in Australia to give all going through bc realistic choices, and not based on where they live nor available surgeons in that area.  

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