Removal of breasts due to cancer is an important psychosocial concern for women. Even today, there is a lot of stigma and paucity of information on procedures for coping with this problem - Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan.
Removal of breasts due to cancer is regarded the most important psychosocial concern for women associated. Even today, there is a lot of stigma and paucity of information on procedures for coping with this problem. For such women, the advancements in breast reconstructive techniques will help them lead a normal life with very less complications - Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan, Ganga Hospital.
Coimbatore: As October is being observed as Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Unit of Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore led by Dr.R. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan and team aims to create awareness on breast reconstruction surgery on women who have undergone partial or total mastectomy due to breast cancer.
According to the reconstructive surgeon and head of the unit, prevalence of breast cancer in women who are in their 30s is on the rise. Though a subject of taboo, these days, many women who have undergone removal of breasts (mastectomy) are aware of breast reconstruction options, said Dr. Raja who said “Of the 10,300 women surveyed, about 75 percent of them agreed to undergo the procedure", he said when asked, if the same has any takers in Coimbatore.
He added that as part of the breast awareness month, a month-long drive will be organised at the hospital, wherein medical and non-medical staff of the hospital will instill awareness amid women on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and cure of breast cancer and the need for early screening.
The awareness was kick-started this morning, by distributing pink colour face masks and handkerchiefs to women.
Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan reiterated that “Early diagnosis of breast cancer can help in curing the disease and reduce the chances of mastectomy. This is no choice, women, who are over 18-years old must necessarily do regular breast self-examinations, while women who are over 40 years must do a mammogram test, every year.”
"In the process of doing a breast self-examination, if one comes across a lump in the breast, the woman must visit a doctor immediately who will do an elaborate examination to determine the nature of the lump. A painless lump is the most common symptom of breast cancer", warned the Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Plastic Surgeon at Ganga Hospital.
In India, breast cancer is the most common cancer among men and women. According to statistics, 26.3 percent of people suffer from this type of cancer, alone. As per reports, women from urban India are more prone to breast cancer due to the various reasons like poor lifestyle. Though the numbers are alarming, the good news is that breast cancers if diagnosed at an early stage and followed up by proper treatment, can be completely cured", he reassured.
"At the Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Centre at Ganga, women who have undergone mastectomy or breast cancer treatment can undergo breast reconstruction procedures.
Though not so popular in India, in Western countries like US and UK, breast reconstruction procedure is part of the breast cancer treatment. Until 25 years back, breast cancer was majorly seen in women who are over 50 years old. However, today, breast cancer is predominantly seen in women between age group 30 and 40 ", he said.
At the Oncoplastic Breast Reconstructiom unit in Ganga Hospital, breast construction procedure is performed either by taking advantage of silicone implants or by using the patient’s own tissues which is also known as autologous reconstruction. The latter procedure is known to be better than the former, as silicone implants need to be replaced once in every 10 years, briefed Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan.
“The best reconstruction practice is the flap reconstruction, where the extra skin and excess fat found in the lower abdomen is taken along with the blood vessels and is shaped into breast(s), which is connected to blood vessels in the chest by using microsurgical procedure. And, the procedure will feel no different,” reassured Dr. Raja Shanmuga Krishnan.
"Patients who undergo the DIEP flap reconstruction will feel normal and will experience no difficulty during radiotherapy or while undergoing chemotherapy. In fact, patients who have undergone the breast removal procedure can assuredly opt for the breast construction process," he reassured.