For a variety of reasons many women over the age of 60 are reluctant to have breast reconstruction following a mastectomy – the primary reason seems to be safety. This reluctance can reduce the chance for a full psychological recovery in these patients, but a recently published study offers some very good news for older women who need a mastectomy, but may be reluctant to undergo the procedure due to safety concerns.
The study, published in the December 2011 edition of “The American Surgeon” has shown that breast reconstruction after mastectomy is well-tolerated and safe in older women. The study was conducted over a ten year period at the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC and examined the cases of 89 women who were an average age of 65 years old. The data gathered indicated that breast reconstruction after cancer is a safe, feasible option for all patients and should be offered regardless of their age. You can read a summary of the article here.
Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy may help speed the psychological and emotional recovery after breast cancer by helping to restore the body to a pre-mastectomy appearance. The psychological and emotional experience, not only of a diagnosis of breast cancer, but also of the loss of the breasts, can be devastating. Loss of this symbol of femininity can have negative effects on self-esteem and even on physical recovery. The Wake Forest study results show that older women do not need to fear that they are more susceptible than younger women to complications arising from reconstruction.
Leif Rogers, MD devotes over 50 percent of his practice to helping women of all ages recover from mastectomy through a number of reconstruction options. Regarding older patients, Dr. Rogers states, “In my practice a significant number of my breast reconstruction patients are over 65 years old. I have even done free flap breast reconstruction on a patient in her 80s with a very nice result.” Dr. Rogers adds, “The most important criteria for picking the right patients for breast reconstruction isn’t age, but overall health. Older patients in good health are just as good of candidates as younger patients.”
If you are a woman of any age, including those over 65, breast reconstruction after mastectomy may be an option for you. Reconstruction can be performed at the time of the mastectomy in many cases or after the procedure in others and there are many options which you can read about on our website.
If you know that you will need a mastectomy or have already had one performed, a consultation with Dr. Rogers and his staff will help you determine your options for breast reconstruction – a procedure which may increase your chance for a complete recovery, both physically and psychologically.
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