Women Facing Mastectomy from Breast Cancer Benefit from Immediate Reconstructive Procedure

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A new study released shows that women who are undergoing a mastectomy due to breast cancer can obtain an immediate breast reconstruction procedure without any complications or added risk of doing so. It does not cause any undue delays in their cancer treatment, either. This is according to a report out by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Some believed that the immediate reconstruction of breast tissue after a mastectomy could pose added complications, but this study shows that there are numerous benefits to making the move sooner. In the study, women who had the procedure immediately after having the mastectomy did not show any negative impacts compared to other women. The study looked at 170 women including those who had reconstruction of both breasts. The goal of the study was to determine if there were any benefits to having immediate reconstruction.

The results indicated there were 15 major complications that occurred, a percentage of 8.8 percent. The complications led to some delays in cancer treatment in only eight women, with maximum delays of three weeks. Of the 15 women that had recurrent breast cancer, the reconstruction did not cause any delays.

The outcome of the surgical procedure was very clear. Of the women who had the procedure, there was no difference in the outcome of women having the procedure immediately after having a mastectomy as those waiting to have the procedure. For many women, this study can be empowering by providing women with the means to get reconstruction procedures sooner.