A diagnosis of breast cancer can be devastating for any woman. As many as one in eight women will get such a diagnosis in their lifetimes. Additionally, women who have close relatives with breast cancer are opting to undergo genetic testing for a mutation of the BRCA gene. Such a mutation will increase the risk of breast or ovarian cancer. These women are now opting to undergo preventive mastectomies to reduce their chances of developing cancer. Actress Angelina Jolie greatly increased awareness of this genetic condition when she opted to undergo a preventive double mastectomy.

Increasing Mastectomy Rates and Breast Reconstructions

Mastectomy rates (in which the entire breast is removed) have risen in comparison to lumpectomies, which are less invasive. In some cases, women are opting to undergo a breast reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy, rather than having temporary spacers inserted to allow for later reconstructive surgery. Other women may opt to undergo their breast reconstruction surgery at a later date.

Dr. Paul Pin has performed many of these procedures for women who have undergone mastectomies either as a result of breast cancer or a positive diagnosis of a mutated BRCA gene. Below are several Before and After examples of the work he has done to reconstruct breasts following a mastectomy.

Latissimus Flap and Implant Reconstruction

This patient had cancer in the right breast, so she underwent a mastectomy and a latissimus flap procedure, which took a section of skin and tissue from her right flank to rebuild the breast. She also had temporary spacers inserted so she could undergo implant reconstruction at a later date.

In her Before picture, the right nipple is inverted and the scars from the latissimus flap can be seen. At a later date, she had a silicone implant placed in the right breast, along with nipple reconstruction. She also underwent a breast augmentation on the left to create symmetry between the two breast sizes.

Latissimus Flaps with Silicone Implants

This young woman found out she was a carrier for the mutant BRCA gene, so opted to undergo a preventive double mastectomy that spared her breast skin. She also had silicone implants placed at the same time as the double mastectomy. Note that the reconstructed breasts look very natural, with the nipples pointing forward.

Partial Mastectomy

This case is particularly interesting for a couple of reasons. First, the patient had a partial mastectomy. Second, she underwent breast reconstruction using a breast reduction pattern. Note in the Before picture that her breasts are large and droopy, to the point that the nipple has fallen below the line of the inframammary crease (the point at which the underside of the breast meets the chest wall). The After photo shows that her breasts have been reduced in size and lifted so that the nipples point forward.

Although being diagnosed with breast cancer or as a carrier for the mutant BRCA gene may be traumatic, there are many cutting edge techniques that can be used to reconstruct the breasts and allow women to regain some confidence and healing in their lives.