A new combination of breast cancer surgery and plastic surgery, co-founded by a London surgeon, is helping patients stay cancer free, while maintaining their dignity.
Dr. Muriel Brackstone, medical director of the Breast Care Program of St. Joseph’s Health Care London, pioneered the new breast surgery technique called oncoplastic surgery, which preserves the aesthetic look of the breast after a lumpectomy.
"What’s exciting is we can now perform surgery in a way that can not only reduce the risk of the cancer returning but also drastically improves the cosmetic outcome,” said Brackstone. “Women are delighted. They are our some of our happiest patients. They look cosmetically better after their cancer operation than they did before, and their cancer is gone. They also tolerate the subsequent radiation better.”
Roughly 80 per cent of women with breast cancer require a lumpectomy, a procedure to remove the cancerous tumor and the pre-cancerous tissue that surrounds it. The surgery often leaves patients with a significantly distorted breast. However, with the new blended surgical approach, the remaining breast tissue is sculpted and molded to restore natural appearance. In order to create symmetry, doctors may modify the non-cancerous breast as well.
“As a surgeon, you’re thinking within the context of the cancer and in three dimensions with the final cosmetic view in mind. Larger breasted women can lose up to 60 per cent of their breast and still have a beautiful, lifted reconstruction,” said Brackstone.
The mix of breast surgical oncology and plastic surgery techniques is of particular importance as medical imaging technology advances to allow doctors to more readily find pre-cancerous tissue. This lowers the risk of the cancer returning but also leads to a larger section of the breast being removed.
“Along with good outcomes in survivorship, the new technique helps restore femininity and a sense of wholeness,” said Brackstone. “Women don’t need prosthetics and can avoid posture and self-esteem issues that often arise with a significant breast deformity.”
Brackstone, along with four other Ontario surgeons, developed the Oncoplastic Partnership Workshop, Canada’s first hands-on oncoplastic surgery course for practicing surgeons across the country. She will be the keynote speaker at St. Joseph’s Best in Breast Care Conference on Oct. 19 at Best Western Plus Stroneridge Inn and Conference Centre. The full-day program will feature the latest developments in breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, reconstructive surgery, and research.
The conference is open to medical professionals, students, and trainees. The public is welcome to attend Brackstone's afternoon address. For more information or to register to attend the conference click here.
