Giuliana Rancic, host of “E News”, was recently interviewed on several TV shows where she publicly shared her personal battle with breast cancer. Ms. Rancic was only 37 when her breast cancer was incidentally diagnosed when she was undergoing fertility treatments.
She first chose to undergo lumpectomy surgery on the affected breast, which proved to be unsuccessful in removing all the cancerous cells. Subsequently, she decided to have bilateral mastectomy surgery with immediate bilateral prosthetic breast reconstruction. By undergoing immediate breast reconstruction, the plastic surgeon is able to recreate the shape breast tissue through several surgical techniques, whether it be prosthetic reconstruction with tissue expander/implant or autogenous reconstruction which uses one’s own tissue.
It has been well documented that women who choose to undergo reconstruction after mastectomy surgery often times have a more positive attitude and anticipate a feeling of looking “whole” after their recovery.
In 1998 the Women’s Health and Cancer Right’s Act was passed. It states that insurance will cover reconstruction surgery in connected with mastectomy. It further provides coverge–
. reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed
.reconstructive surgery on unaffected breast to produce a symmetrical appearance
.coverage for prostheses and physical complications of all stages of mastectomy, including lymphedema treatment
We have treated many women just like Ms. Rancic in our practice. Click here to read patient #1 interview, click here to read patient #2 interview