Have you heard of the Angelina Jolie Effect? It’s a term coined by scientific researchers who discovered that women’s awareness about breast cancer and their options for breast reconstruction increased after Angelina opted for a preventative double mastectomy. You see, Angelina carries the BRCA1 gene mutation which increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer to nearly 100% over the course of her lifetime. You can read more about this here.
At the Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, breast reconstruction awareness is a cause near and dear to our hearts. With Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day on October 24th, 2015, we hope to continue our work and Angelina’s, by educating and empowering women regarding their breast reconstruction options after a mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Reconstructive plastic surgeons continue to research and innovate surgical methods to improve the form, function and aesthetic outcomes of reconstructed breasts. Dr. Ma, Dr. Chesney and Dr. Shenker are dedicated to providing the very best in breast reconstruction care to their patients. Part of that dedication involves fundraising for the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation. Events like BRA Day beautifully marry increased public awareness with a chance to fundraise for this important work in our region. You can learn more about BRA Day 2015 here. This year’s event takes place October 21st at the Galt Country Club. There’s still time to RSVP for this year’s BRA Day event before October 7th here. We hope to see you there!
Many breast cancer patients say that regaining a beautiful and natural appearing form to their breasts is a critical part of their recovery process. The Breast Cancer Society of Canada estimates that 25,000 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. The struggle we face is that despite so many women suffering from this disease, knowledge and understanding of breast reconstruction among breast cancer patients continues falls short. In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, we’ll be doing our part to educate and empower women about breast health and breast reconstruction options. Stay tuned!
