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Kim Sport isn’t shy about showing breast cancer patients her body. She had a mastectomy
and reconstructive surgery at the same time – and says she couldn’t be happier with
the results.
I felt it was very, very important to share that experience with other women because I
didn?t want them just to have to look at a photo.
And a new survery from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shows most women agree.
The survey found 89% of women say they would rather see what reconstruction results look
like before making any treatment decisions. The problem is, not only are some women never
shown surgery results, but 7 out of 10 are not fully informed about their reconstructive
options. And by the time some women find out, it’s too late.
I see a great number of patients who come in and say ?I?d wish I had known before hand.
I wish I could turn the clock back.? But the problem is you can?t turn the clock back.
To make sure women are aware of their options, ASPS Member Surgeons are planning a novel
show-and-tell event in October to kick off the nations first ever Breast Reconstruction
Awareness Day – or BRA Day USA. The idea is to let cancer patients see for themselves
what other women have been through.
Singer/songwriter Jewel is lending her support as spokesperson for the breast reconstruction
awareness campaign. She’s performing a charity concert and has also written an inspirational
song to help raise funds for the campaign.
When I was writing this song there were a lot of survivors that came to mind and I’m
always continually amazed at how resilient women are, and how when faced with a difficult
position they find the courage to say, ‘I am gonna fight on and I’m even gonna be
better’, and that’s what really made me write this song.
At the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans, this is Clark Powell reporting.