Photo By Marcy Sanchez | Lt. Col. Owen Johnson III, chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service, William...... read more read more
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According to the American Cancer Society, besides certain types of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, with an average of one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Since 1998, federal law has mandated that health plans which offer breast cancer coverage to also cover reconstruction and prostheses for patients. Although the law has been in place for almost 20 years, almost 70 percent of patients were not informed of reconstructive options after treatment until much more recently.
“In 2012, The American Society for Plastic Surgery started promoting the idea of getting the word out about reconstruction,” said Lt. Col. Owen Johnson III, chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service , William Beaumont Army Medical Center. “Even though insurance companies have been required to cover reconstruction, few women were being informed about their options.”
To spread awareness of options available to patients, WBAMC’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic will educate beneficiaries and family members on courses they may choose after treating breast cancer as part of Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day on WBAMC’s first floor, Oct. 19.
“BRA Day is held on the 3rd Wednesday of October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month),” said Johnson. “It’s a day across the country for everyone to raise awareness of breast reconstruction. We’ll be available to spread the word, talk and answer some basic questions.”
Other information during BRA day will include types of reconstructive surgeries, treatments and recovery, and general information regarding plastic surgery.
When patients are diagnosed with breast cancer, physical and emotional stress impact treatment and recovery, said Johnson, a native of Woodbridge, Virginia. Giving patients the option for reconstruction may help them feel better during that process.
Healing and closure are emphasized in the BRA Day logo, which displays the familiar pink ribbon representing breast cancer awareness transformed as an infinity loop signifying closing the loop on breast cancer.
For Teresa Vallez, a breast cancer survivor, closure is near as she heals from her recent bout with the cancer.
“I was diagnosed with cancer in July 2015,” said Vallez, a military liaison officer with Tom Lea Elementary School in El Paso. “I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstructive surgery.”
Vallez is still waiting to complete the final stages of her reconstructive surgery, as she heals after going through surgery, four months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation.
The reconstructive options, different for each patient, comprise three main modalities: implants, autologous reconstruction (meaning using tissue from other parts of the body to re-build the breast), and autologous tissue with implant. Patients can opt to have immediate, post-lumpectomy/mastectomy reconstruction or delayed reconstruction (performed months to years after completing cancer treatments).
Vallez opted for autologous tissue reconstruction with implants utilizing a Latissimus Dorsi (LD) flap reconstruction, a type of autologous reconstruction which moves tissue from the back and repositions it in the chest.
According to the American Cancer Society, only about five percent of women choose to undergo immediate breast reconstruction at the time of mastectomy.
“There are so many options with implants and autologous tissue. Some people get it at the time of their surgery and some don’t get it until a few years later,” said Johnson. “It’s very dependent on the individual patient, stage of cancer, the patient’s anatomy and, importantly, their needs and wants.”
While Vallez herself had little time to consider her options after being diagnosed, due to the advance stages of her cancer, she recommended that those diagnosed find out what’s available for their situation and carefully weigh their options before choosing a course of action.
“You have to live with implants, without a breast or whatever you choose, you have to live with that,” said Vallez. “Know yourself, and what you’re going to be happy with or not happy with and base your decisions on that.”
Vallez also warns breast cancer patients not to base decisions on what others say, adding that patients should do what’s right for them and their bodies.
“The biggest thing we hear is that they always feel alone. Breast cancer is very common. They are definitely not going through it alone,” said Johnson. “The more we talk about it and the more patients they meet who have already been through the process, the more people will come to us so we can start educating.”
In addition to the education services the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic provides, WBAMC also conducts “Tumor boards” to address treatment options for patients.
“Treatment options for newly diagnosed patients are discussed at a
multi-disciplinary tumor board where everyone involved in their care obtains consensus on recommended treatment options, such as roles for surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology and plastic surgery as well as available clinical trials and psychosocial support,” said Johnson. “It’s a team approach.”
With a schedule full of appointments, the tumor board proved valuable in providing Vallez peace of mind during the days following her difficult diagnosis.
“You’re being pulled a whole bunch of ways,” said Vallez. “It was a huge peace of mind for me that (different specialty doctors) were all pretty much on the same page and knew what the others were treating. It’s good to know that WBAMC doctors know what they’re doing and that they’ll provide you useful information.”
For more information on breast reconstruction contact the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic at 915-742-2758.
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2016 12:59 |
| Story ID: | 211439 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | WOODBRIDGE, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 496 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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