Healthy Living: Immediate Breast Reconstruction - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Healthy Living: Immediate Breast Reconstruction

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80,000 American women diagnosed with breast cancer choose to get a mastectomy each year. In today's Healthy Living, learn about some reconstruction options many don't know exist.

 

When doctors told singer Victoria Bordner she had breast cancer and needed a mastectomy, her job became a way to cope. She wore a prosthetic for three months. Then she had breast reconstruction. Victoria's surgeon... Doctor Michael Miller says far too few women know their reconstruction choices.

 

Recent studies show 70-percent of women eligible for breast reconstruction are not informed of their options. And up to 20-percent of women who've had mastectomies didn't even know it was an option. The doctor says reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy is growing in popularity.

 

He says it's best for healthy women with early stage breast cancer. He encourages women with advanced cancer and those who aren't sure what they want to do to wait. Whatever you decide know your rights! If insurance covers mastectomy by law it's required to cover breast reconstruction too.