Prophylactic Mastectomy: More women choosing to remove healthy breast after cancer diagnosis

A new study of New York State data finds that the number of women opting for surgery to remove the healthy breast after a cancer diagnosis in one breast is rising, despite a lack of evidence that the surgery can improve survival. The study also finds that despite extensive press coverage of women who choose to have both breasts removed because of a strong family history of cancer, the rate of this surgery is relatively low and has changed little in the last decade. The study appears in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

Prophylactic mastectomy, the removal of a noncancerous breast, is one method for reducing a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer; however, there is little information available on the prevalence of prophylactic mastectomies for preventing breast cancer among high-risk women or on the prevalence of the surgery to prevent tumors in the healthy breast among women whose cancer is limited to one breast.

Researchers led by Stephen B. Edge, M.D., FACS, of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, examined the frequency of prophylactic mastectomies in New York State between 1995 and 2005 using mandated statewide hospital discharge data combined with data from the state cancer registry. They identified 6,275 female New York residents who underwent prophylactic mastectomies. Eighty-one percent of the women had been diagnosed with cancer in one breast, while 19 percent had no personal history of breast cancer.

The researchers found that the number of prophylactic mastectomies increased during the time period, particularly among women with cancer in one breast. Over the 11-year study period, the prevalence of these contralateral mastectomies more than doubled. The prevalence of bilateral prophylactic mastectomies among women with no personal history of breast cancer increased only slightly.

“These data from New York are the only data on a large population of women that examine the use of bilateral prophylactic mastectomy,” said Dr. Edge. “These data demonstrate that prophylactic mastectomy is an uncommon procedure that is performed most commonly on women with a personal history of breast cancer. Although the total number of prophylactic mastectomies performed per year was small, it appears that the use of the surgery is increasing.” In addition, he noted that women with breast cancer should have careful counseling regarding benefits and risks before proceeding with prophylactic mastectomy of the other breast.

For more information about prophylactic mastectomy and/or breast reconstruction surgery do not hesitate to contact us.

Liposuction Turns 20

The evolution of liposuction will be discussed by leading experts at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), being held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center May 2-7, 2009. “Liposuction 20 Years Later: Precision in Shaping, Prevention and Correction of Contour Irregularities”

In the early 1970s, “suction-assisted lipectomy” (SAL), or lipoplasty (liposuction), first appeared in the peer-reviewed literature. Originally used to remove lipomas (fatty tumors) and fatty deposits in various reconstructive procedures, the procedure was soon found to have a much wider application as a cosmetic surgery technique. In 1989, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified suction lipoplasty systems for use in aesthetic body contouring.

Since that time, the demand for liposuction has grown significantly and, according to ASAPS statistics, it was the second most popular surgical cosmetic procedure in 2008, with 341,144 procedures performed. With such popularity, however, comes greater responsibility to patients in terms of safety and cosmetic outcomes.

The panel will discuss liposuction technologies that have appeared over the years, including ultrasound-assisted, laser-assisted, power-assisted, and VASER®-assisted liposuction methods, the POLICE (Pre & Post Liposuction Contour Equalization) technique, fat grafting for the correction of deformities, and others.

In addition, which technologies yield the best outcomes will be debated. Some plastic surgeons feel that the best liposuction results are obtained without the use of the latest technologies – particularly those technologies that aim to thermally or otherwise damage fat cells.

There is more to successful body contouring than advanced technology or surgical technique. An understanding of aesthetic body proportions can mean the difference between a svelte, womanly figure and a “boxy”, man-like appearance. And thorough documentation and analysis of deformities, for example – particularly through the patient’s perspective via refined photographic techniques – is instrumental in ensuring predictable and pleasing results.

Whatever advances lie ahead and debates that remain, it is important to note that, just as when the first lipoplasty systems for aesthetic contouring were approved twenty years ago, today’s lipoplasty technology is still secondary to the skill of the surgeon. Every surgery has risks, but selecting a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon helps to ensure both patient safety and satisfaction.

Get a Liposuction done by Doctor Roberto Martinez Rinaldi

Before and After photos

El Dr. Juan Sánchez Pulgar se une al equipo de Sublimis

Sublimis, organización dedicada a  servicios y tratamientos médicos de alto nivel, les informa que el Doctor Juan Sánchez Pulgar, especialista en Cirugía Traumatológica y Ortopédica, se ha incorporado a nuestro equipo médico.

El Dr. Sánchez Pulgar se egresó de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba y  ejerce su profesión desde 1980. Es Miembro Titular de la Sociedad de Ortopedia y Traumatología de Córdoba desde Agosto 1985 y Miembro Titular designado por la Asociación Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatología desde el 2001.

Además ha sido reconocido como especialista en Ortopedia y Traumatología por la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba,  la Asociación Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatología Infantil y por la Sociedad Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatología.  También fue ganador del “Premio Anual SAMECIPP” otorgado por la Sociedad Argentina de Medicina y Cirugía del Pie y Pierna en el año 2006.

Sánchez Pulgar  participo como panelista/relator especialista en Cirugía Traumatológica y Ortopédica en conferencias en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, Panamá, Perú, Uruguay, Venezuela, entre otros países.

Cosmetic-surgery patients increasingly decide against costly nips and tucks — at least for now — because of tough financial times. Emerging affordable cosmetic services in Argentina come to solve the budget problem of thousands of Americans and Europeans.

Leading the health tourism Sublimis a medical organization offering  first class medical care and high quality touristic services at affordable prices brings the solution to this global economic crisis.

Patients choice it´s abroad.
Several surveys suggest that many north american an european cosmetic surgeons have been seeing a dropoff in costly operations, some by 30 percent or more.

How much does it cost to get a Tummy tuck, Blepharoplasty, Breast Augmentation, Cheek Implants, Liposuction or Face lift in Argentina? Have a look at our Health Services Prices Chart.