- Intermountain Health's upcoming BRA Day on Oct. 3 plans to raise awareness about breast reconstruction.
- Mandy Britton praised breast reconstruction for restoring her confidence and femininity.
- Seven in 10 women are unaware of reconstruction options after a mastectomy, studies show.
SALT LAKE CITY — Breast Cancer Awareness Month is just around the corner, and Intermountain Health is preparing for an event that not only celebrates survivors but also raises awareness about breast reconstruction, an option many women don't realize they have after treatment.
For Mandy Britton, facing breast cancer twice was overwhelming.
"My lump was about halfway between my breast and my armpit," she said. "I had eight surgeries total."
But Britton found that learning about reconstruction opened the door to new possibilities.
"I'm really grateful that I had different options," she said.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 300,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the United States. That means 1 in 8 women will face a diagnosis in their lifetime. Yet, studies show 7 in 10 are not aware of their reconstruction options following a mastectomy. Those options include implants and tissue flaps.
"There are reconstruction options for mastectomy reconstruction, but also partial mastectomy or lumpectomy reconstruction options," said Dr. Nicholas Kim, medical director for plastic surgery at Intermountain Health. "We commonly take tissue from the abdomen, and we bring that up to the chest to reconstruct the breast."
And it's not just about the physical, it's about restoring confidence and a sense of self.
"We have an aesthetic mindset when it comes to reconstructing body parts, including the breasts," Kim said. "Image, identity, these are all things that are very important for our patients and for us surgeons."
Britton had a tissue flap and a nipple reconstruction.
"I really enjoy being able to look like a feminine woman," she said. "No limitations at all; gave me my life back, happier human now. I've learned that life can be very short, and I try to just live my life to the fullest."
Most patients are candidates for some form of reconstruction. The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act requires most health plans in the U.S. to cover reconstruction following mastectomy, but patients should confirm specifics with their insurer and care team.
Intermountain Health will highlight reconstruction options at its annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, also known as BRA Day, on Friday, Oct. 3, from 4-6 p.m. at the Transformation Center in Murray.
The free community event brings together survivors, patients, families and medical teams to share information, answer questions, and celebrate recovery. Activities will include a bra-decorating contest, raffle prizes, refreshments, and interactive displays that highlight advances in breast reconstruction surgery.
