Women who may have had radical surgery for breast cancer maybe ten or fifteen years ago may not be aware of the huge advances made by surgeons with reconstructive procedures such as micro surgery that uses the woman’s own tissue instead of an implant, according to Dr. Catriona Lawlor, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.

Speaking ahead of Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day on the 16^th of October, a day of awareness that is growing  internationally to highlight the benefits for women of breast reconstruction, Lawlor revealed details of an open evening where medical colleagues and more importantly women who’ve had reconstructive surgery will share their knowledge and experiences at a free open meeting in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.

Dr. Lawlor said, “Breast reconstruction can take many forms. Recently there was the high profile preventative double mastectomy undertaken by actress Angelina Jolie. But we’re trying to reach out to women to tell them that reconstruction is available to all, depending on medical assessment, and it is something that most women tell me they find ‘life changing’ even down to the most banal of activities like being able to buy and wear V-necked jumpers. An even simpler operation, colloquially referred to as removing ‘dog ears’ can mean, after a ten minute procedure a woman can comfortably wear a bra again, having endured possibly years of truly uncomfortable chafing. Most cancer programmes give after-care for up to five years at which time more often than not the woman can be given the ‘all clear’. But these women, especially those who may have been operated on ten or fifteen years ago, don’t know that current reconstructive surgeries could benefit them so much and that such procedures can now be covered by both public and private healthcare.”

The open evening is being held on Wednesday 16^th of October at 8pm in the public space at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Merrion, Dublin 4. Admission is free but spaces are limited to 150 people. Talks will be given by a number of surgeons with different specialties but in response to demand at a similar talk last year, the highlight will be a talk by two patients about their personal experiences. The event, including a question and answer session, should last about two hours.

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