Breast cancer survivors often left uninformed about reconstruction options.

Illawarra breast cancer survivor, Anne Cantle, knows only too well the frustration and confusion many women encounter when trying to find out about breast reconstruction options following a mastectomy.

For many women, reconstruction offers the opportunity to restore their bodies after breast surgery, but, despite reconstruction being available in Australia to women as part of their breast cancer treatment plan, up-to-date information about the various procedures available can be hard to find, particularly in regional areas.
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Anne, who had a mastectomy in 2007, finally underwent reconstruction in January this year.  Initially Anne had thought that she would not pursue reconstruction, but as time went on, reconstruction had become more important;

“As it turned out, I was not comfortable with a solo breast. Finding clothes to wear, worrying about people staring if I flashed my scar, or if the prosthesis was going to pop out, and it was a daily and constant reminder of the cancer diagnosis. I had no confidence, going out was a nightmare and I was a shadow of my former self”.

After many months of research and appointments with several health professionals (during which time she was given out of date information about what was available to her), Anne was finally referred back to her original breast surgeon and put in touch with a specialist reconstructive plastic surgeon who carried out one of the newer procedures available.

Her breast surgeon also put Anne in contact with breast reconstruction charity Reclaim Your Curves who were able to help Anne understand what to expect and connected her with other women going through the same process, making her feel less alone.
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Anne’s story will be featured in an upcoming Breast Reconstruction Awareness event to be held at City Digger’s Club in Wollongong on Monday February 27 from 5.30-9pm.
The event, organised by Reclaim Your Curves, will also feature presentations by Dr Tony Palasovski, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and VMO at Wollongong and Shellharbour Hospitals, and Dr Adrian Sjarif, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, who has practices throughout Southern Sydney and the Illawarra.
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The Event is free, and open to women diagnosed with breast cancer, their supporters and health professionals, but bookings are essential: www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/breast-reconstruction-awareness-events.html