Breast Reconstruction
What is breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is an operation, or more than one operation, to make a new breast shape when you have had a mastectomy.
There are lots of different ways surgeons can do a breast reconstruction. There are also different times when it can be done. Having breast reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy is called an immediate breast reconstruction. This is not suitable for all ladies and you may be advised to have a delayed reconstruction (reconstruction following all other treatments and is usually at least a year after your mastectomy). Your breast surgeon will discuss different types of mastectomy and reconstruction with you if you require a mastectomy and what you can have will depend on your individual situation.
The type of breast reconstruction you have and when you have it depends on lots of things.
For example:
• Your age
• Your body shape
• Your fitness
• The sort of breast cancer you have
• The other breast cancer treatments you will be having
The unaffected breast
Some women who are having a mastectomy wonder whether they should have their unaffected breast removed as well. Evidence shows this is not usually necessary or recommended, unless someone has a higher risk of developing primary breast cancer in the other side. This might be the case if they have inherited an altered gene or have a strong family history of breast cancer.
Many women overestimate their risk of developing a new primary cancer in the other breast or mistakenly believe breast cancer can spread from one breast to the other, so it’s important to discuss your individual situation with your surgeon.
Please speak to your breast care nurse to arrange an appointment to discuss the various options and look at photographs of different types of reconstruction.
Disclaimer: On this website you will find advice to help you manage some of the more common but milder symptoms and side effects of breast cancer surgery. Please ONLY use this advice if you are currently participating in the ePainQ research project, otherwise you must follow the advice given to you by your medical team.
Clicking on the links in the left hand menu will take you to advice on looking after yourself during treatment. If after following the advice you don’t feel your symptoms are being successfully managed or relieved, or if you become more unwell, you should contact your hospital medical team immediately.