BRCA NEWSWORTHY

Melbourne Trial of Breast Regrowth Surgery Neopec

11/11/09 reported by: Grant McArthurfrom perthnow

There’s a STEM CELL BREAKTHRU STUDY going on in Australia to help breast

Cancer patients, BRCA patients GROW BACK THEIR OWN BREAST TISSUE.

If this study is successful it could replace implants & breast reconstructions going on today.

The procedure uses the stem cells of our own fat to regenerate the growth of new breast tissue.

Follow this link for the entire story & video: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26338552-5017320,00.html

10/18/09 submitted by: Toni Zhong M.D. FRCS(C)

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

If you are living in Canada and need to have a mastectomy in the near
future, you need to know about this new breast reconstruction study out of
Toronto.  This study is especially suited to BRCA carriers.  We have just
opened enrolment at University Health Network and Women’s College for an
exciting randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes following one-stage
direct to permanent implant using Alloderm compared to the traditional
two-stage TE/implant reconstruction at the same time as skin-sparing
mastectomy or nipple sparing mastectomy.  This is a fully funded study that
is supported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and we have full
ethics approval at our four participating sites (Mount Sinai, Women’s
college, Princess Margaret, and Toronto General Hospital).  Currently in
Canada, only very limited hospitals have the authority to use Alloderm
because of its high price, but it is approved by Health Canada and has been
used in the US for many years with an excellent track record.  The
bottomline is that Alloderm has the potential to convert the traditional
practice of 2-stage implant recon to only one stage with better safety and
aesthetics than without this material.  If you join this study, you will
have a 50:50 chance of receiving the Alloderm implant reconstruction.  But
even more importantly, there are many benefits to being in a high-quality
clinical trial including being treated by the most experienced implant
breast reconstruction surgeons in Canada.   In summary, this study will give
high level evidence that can have important implication on QOL of breast
recon patients and potentially influence our current surgical practice.
Please visit our website at http://www.torontoalloderm.ca or call our
research coordinator Mrs. kate Butler at 416-340-4800 ext 2343 or email:
kbutler@uhnres.utoronto.ca.

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

As a dental hygienist, I’ve been meaning to put this article together for some time. Since it’s breast cancer awareness month—now is the time!

Your breast implants & premedication - or the necessity to take antibiotic one hour before your dental appointment:

Some Doctors feel this is necessary & some do not. Your mouth is full of bacteria (some good-some bad) & when you have dental work that causes bleeding the bacteria in your mouth travel through your blood & can cause an infection to your breast implant. ASK YOUR SURGEON IF YOU NEED TO “PREMEDICATE” BEFORE DENTAL TREATMENT!

See your dentist BEFORE chemotherapy treatment. If you need dental work during chemotherapy treatment your oncologist & your dentist need to speak prior to treatment. Chemotherapy lowers your white blood cells (which protect you against infection) & again, some dental procedures stir up bacteria which can stir an infection in your bloodstream. If your immune system is lowered because of lowered white blood cell counts your dentist needs to know! ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR ONCOLOGIST WHEN YOU ARE UNDER TREATMENT BEFORE YOU DO DENTAL WORK!

Sometimes chemotherapy can also cause mouth sores & inflammation. When the mouth is dry bacteria act up & can cause gum & teeth problems. It is very important to practice good oral hygiene (brush, floss, rinse) so you can keep your bacteria levels as low as possible in your mouth. Advise your dental professional if you have any problems. Sometimes a fluoride treatment or dry mouth therapy can be recommended or applied during your visit. Biotene or alcohol free mouthwashes may help.

Lastly—bisphosphonates (drugs used to fight bone loss!) All I can say about this is again…let your dental professional know if you are taking any. If you notice any changes in your mouth while taking bisphosphonates let your medical professionals know.

Be well you all!

Breast Reconstruction:

There are two popular types of reconstruction - Implants and Tram Flap. We can discuss other options in the forums, but as a recap, I am only discussing the more popular procedures. With implant reconstruction there are three different stages of surgery. Stage one happens initially upon mastectomy. A tissue expander is put in to stretch the skin. The second stage of surgery is the implant exchange, and the third stage of surgery is nipple & areola reconstruction. The tram flap procedure involves you getting your breast reconstruction from your belly fat. You get new boobs and a tummy tuck too! Other doctors may use different techniques during reconstructive surgery. Always check with your physician! You should also discuss pros and cons of one reconstruction over another. Tram flap is one big surgery and then another procedure for nipple and areola reconstruction, implants are three surgeries. Tram flap has a longer recovery time than implants- do you want that? You could discuss possible complications of the surgery. You could discuss lifespan of one procedure over another, recovery time of one procedure over another, pain involved. Which procedure will give YOU a nicer figure afterwards? Where will your scars be? Do you want grafted nipples, or tattooed ones? If you choose grafted- where is the donor site? Saline or silicone implants? This is YOUR choice! Enjoy yourself—this is your new bod!