Breast cancer is a problem that has far reaching effects and ramifications. The issues that arise from breast cancer treatments and the worry and stress of dealing with the consequences can have devastating effects on both the sufferer, her partner and her extended family circle. Friends and workmates too can find changes in their relationships that are difficult to come to terms with.

The condition is becoming more widespread too and their can hardly be a family in the USA or UK who have not been touched by it in some way. And we should not forget of course that the incidence of breast cancer in men continues to rise steadily. I read only this week of a couple in London, UK where both the wife and her husband had been diagnosed with cancer of the breast.

Around the world too there are countless organizations and charitable bodies who have the goal of raising money to support breast cancer research. Every year they bring in millions of dollars in cash and pour it steadily towards the doctors and hospitals who specialize in cancer care. Some of them work on a purely local basis, others function on a national scale or beyond. All of them need large amounts of income to maintain their role and are always striving for new ways to keep the funding levels high and growing. They seem to constantly seek innovative ways to raise the capital required.

Susan G Komen had been a breast cancer patient who created what had been to start with a small scale fund raising venture. This has today turned out to be one of the greatest and most crucial healthcare charities in the entire world. The Komen foundation is most likely best recognized with regard to their races which they arrange in each and every city in the United states as well as in some other nations too. Race For Life in the United kingdom is a comparable idea.

The running events cover such a wide range of distances that there is literally something there for everyone. You can start with a short fun run, stretch out to a five kilometer or ten kilometer challenge and move on up to a half marathon, full marathon or ultra distance event. These widely popular days raise many millions of dollars every year and of course also function to increase local and national awareness. Celebrity involvement usually ensures that the media give the day a lot of attention.

Can’t manage a run? No problem – just walk instead. Komen and other charities also offer long distance and short distance sponsored walks and often many thousands of people take part. One of these walks in the United Kingdom is takes place in the dark of the night and is called the Moon Walk. Those who take part – both women and men – wear extravagant brightly colored and decorated bras.

Individuals generate cash for breast cancer both separately as well as within teams. You may merely donate funds in your area or even get involved with a fund raising event and convince all your own pals to sponsor you. The most important thing is that you go ahead and do it.

If you really feel in a position to contribute cash for breast cancer research then make sure you do because each gift of money might be vital. You could end up giving the final dollar which makes the difference in order to find a cure.

Marjory Cameron is one of life’s Breast Cancer Survivors. She has blogged many of her experiences and supported thousands of women on issues like choosing a mastectomy bra and other similar topics

Breast reconstruction is not a cosmetic procedure. It’s a right every woman has when faced with mastectomy after breast cancer. Fortunately, there are several reconstructive options.

Breast reconstruction performed at the same time as the mastectomy is known as “immediate reconstruction”. Immediate reconstruction is generally associated with the best cosmetic results but, more importantly, the patient avoids the psychological trauma of waking up from surgery with a flat chest.

In some instances immediate reconstruction is not recommended or is not possible and the reconstruction is performed several months after the mastectomy. This is called “delayed” reconstruction. Women with more advanced disease are usually not candidates for immediate reconstruction because of the need for radiation therapy after the mastectomy. While some plastic surgeons still perform immediate reconstruction in these cases, most prefer to delay the reconstruction until a later date to allow the tissues to recover.

Tissue expander reconstruction is the most common method of breast reconstruction in the United States. Most plastic surgeons perform this as a two-stage procedure. The expander is used to stretch the skin envelope and create the size of breast the patient and plastic surgeon desire. The expander is replaced by a permanent breast implant (saline or silicone) at a separate procedure some time later. Some patients are candidates for one-step implant reconstruction (without expanders): a permanent breast implant is inserted immediately without going through the whole expansion process. In the one-step implant reconstruction the implant is completely covered by the pectoralis muscle and an acellular dermal graft (like Alloderm or FlexHD). These grafts are cadaveric tissue implants that provide support and increase the amount of padding over the implant.

Breast reconstruction with implants can provide excellent cosmetic results. However, the long term risk of complications is much higher than in women who have cosmetic breast enhancement with implants. The most common risks include contracture (hardening of the new breast), and implant ripples that can be felt and seen through the breast skin. These risks are increased if the patient has to undergo radiation as part of the cancer treatment.

The Latissimus procedure uses muscle (latissimus dorsi), fat and skin from the back (below the shoulder blade) that is brought around to the chest to create a new breast. Many patients also need an expander or implant to obtain a satisfactory result in terms of size. Patients typically have a scar on their back that can be seen with some low-cut clothing. Women who are very active in sports may notice some strength loss with activities like golf, climbing, or tennis.

A more attractive option for many women is the TRAM flap procedure. This uses tissue from the lower tummy, rather like a “tummy tuck”. Skin, fat and part of the sit-up (rectus) muscle is transferred to the chest to recreate the breast mound. Advantages include a natural reconstruction along with an improved abdominal contour. Disadvantages include loss of abdominal strength and a risk of abdominal bulging (“pooching”) or hernia.

The DIEP flap is the latest evolution of the TRAM flap. It provides all the advantages of the TRAM while decreasing the risks. Like the TRAM, it provides a very natural breast reconstruction which is warm and soft and ages with the patient. However, the DIEP preserves all the abdominal musculature so is associated with a lower rate of abdominal bulging and hernia. Since the muscle are preserved, recovery is also easier and abdominal strength is maintained long term.

There are a handful of other tissue options available for women who are not candidates or prefer to avoid using their abdominal tissue. These include the inner, upper thigh (TUG flap), lower buttock crease (IGAP), and upper buttock (SGAP). The best tissue option will depend on a number of factors, primarily the patient’s body habitus.

Microsurgical breast reconstruction procedures like the DIEP, TUG and GAP flaps are not offered routinely by many American plastic surgeons. There are many reasons for this, primarily the complexity of the surgery and the need for additional training. Unfortunately most patients seeking one of these breast reconstruction options after mastectomy will be forced to travel to specialized centers for their surgery.

Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction, particularly DIEP flap breast reconstruction. In-network for most US insurance plans. PRMA Plastic Surgery, San Antonio, Texas. (800) 692-5565.