Living with Breast Cancer

If breast cancer is discovered and treated when it is still localized to the breast, the five-year survival rate may be as high as 90 percent. In addition, the discovery of breast cancer at a very early stage may permit effective, local treatment with less radical surgical procedures, such as a lumpectomy.

Once breast cancer has spread beyond the breast to the lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla), five-year survival rates are reduced. This is why early detection is important. Remember, however, that statistics apply only to large groups of people and can never predict the outcome in any one person. As well, progress with new treatments is always being made.


After surgery, women have a number of options to make the loss of breast tissue less obvious. These options include:


Breast Prosthesis
If you are considering buying a prosthesis, financial assistance forms are available through the pre-admission clinic at Women's College campus or from a Reach to Recovery Volunteer. Reach to Recovery is a program of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Reconstructive or breast implant surgery
Reconstructive surgery is an operation performed to restore a breast's normal appearance after a mastectomy. Increasing numbers of women are opting for reconstruction over an external prosthesis. Some women choose to have their reconstruction done at the same time as the mastectomy. Others choose to wait. Deciding to have reconstructive surgery is not a decision to rush into. Instead, take time to gather information and talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
Breast reconstruction is accomplished using either a tissue expander with a breast implant or a woman's own tissue - called a TRAM flap (transverse rectus abdominus musculotaneous) or a LATS (latissimus dorsi) flap. Each of these procedures is explained below.


Saline implant with tissue expander
In order to produce a pocket for the breast implant, a tissue expander or empty sack is implanted behind a muscle on your chest. Over a period of three to six months, sterile saline is injected into the expander through a valve. Once the pocket is at a sufficient size, the plastic surgeon will wait three months before surgically removing the expander and replacing it with a breast implant.

TRAM flap
This is a surgical technique which uses the abdominal skin, fat and muscle tissue to create the breast. Women who undergo this operation must have a sufficient amount of abdominal tissue. Tissue from the abdominal area is tunnelled to the chest and shaped to form a natural appearing breast mound. The site from where the tissue was removed is closed giving a "tummy tuck" effect. This operation leaves a scar across the entire width of the lower abdomen that can be hidden by a swimsuit or underwear.

LATS flap
This surgical procedure uses the broad fan-shaped back muscle (latissimus dorsi) with the overlying skin to create the breast. A breast implant is usually added to provide volume. The operation leaves a visible scar on the back.