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Rise in Demand for Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy Women who lose a breast to cancer have two main options to replace it and restore their femininity - breast implants and natural fat grafting. According to a recent report, research shows that more women are receiving breast reconstruction after mastectomy. The study was based on procedures performed between 1998 and 2007. The study revealed that 20,506 women treated breast cancer with mastectomy between 1998 and 2007, and while only 46% underwent surgery to reconstruct the breast during 1998, up to 63% underwent the procedure in 2007. These results led the lead researcher to conclude that this reconstructive procedure has a positive impact on quality of life of breast cancer survivors. As more women are surviving breast cancer, it is necessary to focus on prolonging survivorship and ensuring that
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women have access to this important part of treatment, said the author. The rise in the demand for this reconstructive procedure is further corroborated by recent data. According to statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast reconstruction procedures performed by ASPS member surgeons in 2013 was 95,589, up from 91655 in 2012 and 78,832 in 2000. This represents a 4% increase in 2012-2013 and a 21% increase in 2000-2013. The researchers involved in the study Another finding of the study was dramatic difference in reconstruction rate based on geographic region, with a low of 18 percent in North Dakota and a high of 80 percent in Washington D.C. The findings also showed that the rate of bilateral mastectomy augmented six-fold between 1998 and 2007. The study also revealed that three-quarters of women getting bilateral mastectomy undergo breast reconstruction. The rate of implant reconstruction was higher compared to autologous or fat transfer reconstruction. Actually, reconstruction using tissues provides better cosmetic results and higher satisfaction,
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but the procedure involves a longer hospital stay and recovery time. Established plastic surgery centers with plastic surgeons who are experienced in breast reconstructive surgery offer both these options. A reliable surgeon will discuss both cosmetic and surgical issues and help patients make an informed decision.