Cosmetic Breast Surgeries - How Can They Combat Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Many cases of breast cancer end up at the operating table where the malignant growth in the breast is removed surgically. Once the surgery is complete, many patients turn to cosmetic breast surgeries to reconstruct their breasts.

Let’s look at the options after a breast cancer surgery –

• Breast augmentation

• Breast reduction

• Breast reconstruction

• Breast lift

Breast augmentation

This surgery is resorted to if one wants to enhance the appearance or size of the breasts. In this surgery, implants are placed below the chest muscle. The procedure is minimally invasive. The implants can be inserted in three ways – through the armpit, the areola or the lower breast fold.

The outer casing of implants consists of silicone while the insides comprise of saline water or silicone gel.

Breast reduction

Women who have large and heavy breasts undergo breast reduction surgery if they face discomfort due to neck and back pain or weakness due to their breast weight. In this procedure, excess fat, skin and tissue are trimmed.

Breast reconstruction 

Women who undergo mastectomy for breast cancer opt for this surgery. In this procedure, a breast is recreated with the desired volume, shape, and size. 

The breast can be recreated with implants or the patient’s tissues. Implants, if used, are sized to match the other breast. For tissues, surgeons can use the tissue from the patient’s lower abdomen. Even the tissues from the back muscle and the buttocks can be used. At times, even the opposite normal breast will have to be reconstructed for symmetry. 

This procedure has no effect on cancer recurrence.

Breast lift

In some patients, their skin is not strong enough to support the weight of the breast. This can lead to breast sagging. Generally, this happens when the proportion of skin and breast tissue is skewed in favour of skin. So the excess skin is removed in this method. 

Consult with your doctor if you want to undergo cosmetic breast surgery.