Breast Reconstruction: A Pink Ribbon Issue

When something is marked with a blue ribbon, it is often a prize. It often means it is number one, or it is of prime importance.

However, Orlando Cosmetic Surgery believes the most important ribbons of October are not prize ribbons, and they are not blue or red. They are the pink ribbons of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Therefore, we mark this week’s topic with pink ribbons, and we declare it a topic of prime importance.

You have probably heard that an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States, but do you and the women you love in your life know about their Health and Cancer Rights?

Do your mother, sister, wife and best friend know their rights as women?

The Right To Reconstruct!

1. To put it simply, if you have a health plan that grants you breast cancer coverage, they must also provide breast reconstruction as well as prostheses. Put simply, you have the right to reconstruct!

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons agrees with Orlando Cosmetic Surgery. They state, “The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires health plans that offer breast cancer coverage to also provide for breast reconstruction and prostheses.”

Please read the special page at this, Dr. Orlando Cicilioni’s website. You are just a click away from discovering more details about this restorative surgery.

2. We know that your personal decisions regarding breast reconstruction can impact your recovery. Your new shape, your scars, your skin can mentally, psychologically and sexually. Learn your options before you have your surgery, or come to us after it. We can help.

3. Let’s look at the statistics:

Q: How many women do you think are currently offered breast reconstruction surgery?

A: Facts show that it is less than half the diagnosed women are even offered options.

Q: How many women with breast cancer undergo the breast reconstruction?

A: Dismal statistics report only one in five elect reconstruction.

4. Given the almost obvious benefits of well-being and self esteem, why would women with breast cancer turn down reconstructive surgery? The answer is “many women – particularly those of racial and ethnic minority groups – are not informed about their care options.”

There’s More to the Story:

Experts say, “This is particularly concerning as African-American women under the age of 40 have a greater incidence of breast cancer than Caucasian women of the same age.” Likewise, breast cancer is “the most common cancer among Hispanic women.”

5. In 2009, there was a study conducted by the University of Michigan and Dana Farber. The research determined that women did not undergo breast reconstruction either because they were not informed about it properly or they were not referred to a breast reconstruction surgeon.

Obviously, the solution to the problem is to get information to women, concerning options for life after mastectomy.

Legislation Is On The Way

Legislation has been introduced concerning this important issue. The Breast Cancer Patient Education Act of 2015 calls for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create an education campaign for the express purpose of informing breast cancer patients about the availability and coverage of breast reconstruction and other available alternatives post-mastectomy.”

The legislation decrees that women will be given educational materials that will inform them of their right to breast reconstruction under federal law. It will also explain when breast reconstruction or prostheses will be safely and appropriately introduced into their recovery timeline.

This delicate issue is dear to the hearts of Dr. Orlando Cicilioni and the staff here at Orlando Cosmetic Surgery.

We are dedicated to the cause of Breast Cancer Awarenss.