Breast Reconstruction: Healing through Plastic Surgery
By: Courtney Caprara
For many women battling breast cancer, a single or double mastectomy is a possible treatment they consider. More than 70 percent of these women are unaware of their reconstruction options following the procedure, which involves removing all tissue from one or both breasts.
To improve this startling statistic, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Plastic Surgery Foundation created the Breast Reconstruction Awareness Campaign, also known as BRA Day. Dr. Carolyn De La Cruz, a plastic surgeon at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, champions the cause locally in Pittsburgh each year.
“BRA Day is about celebrating the positive impact plastic surgery can have on a woman’s life following breast cancer treatment,” De La Cruz said. “Breast reconstruction allows many women to feel whole again and move forward, and they should never be left unaware of their recovery options.”
This year, Luxe Creative hosted the BRA Day Pittsburgh event, which featured eight mannequin busts in its annual “Art of Breast Reconstruction” exhibit. Rendered by local artists, the mannequins visually represent the journey of breast reconstruction. The busts were auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the evening’s cause.
More information about breast reconstruction is available on the UPMC website.
For many women battling breast cancer, a single or double mastectomy is a possible treatment they consider. More than 70 percent of these women are unaware of their reconstruction options following the procedure, which involves removing all tissue from one or both breasts.
