Considering the options before the removal of the breast

A woman’s body is like a sculpture and she reveres it like a temple. The loss of any part of the body makes her feel incomplete not only from the outside but also from the inside. In case of a breast cancer survivor who has to go through mastectomy this same principle is applicable.

But this thing can be corrected nowadays. This fact can be proved correct through an example. A lady suffering from cancer had to undergo mastectomy. This loss made her suffer with shame and pain at her loss over which she shed many a tear.


Her partner tried to console her about the missing part in her, but despite his assurances it was apparent that bit did bother him when she saw that he could not look at her whenever she took her shirt off.

On going to buy a prosthesis or artificial breast in order to give her an appearance of fullness, a secretary noticed her distress and gave her the suggestion to opt for breast reconstruction through surgery (the cost of which would be covered by health insurance). This appeared to be news to her as her surgeon had not told her about any such option.

The implementation of a state law signed by David A. Paterson stipulates that the doctors and hospitals of New York have to discuss the choices related to breast reconstruction with their patients before the performance of the surgery.

They should inform them about the insurance coverage and even refer them to some other hospital for the surgery.

For example, the lady was given a new breast which turned her life around. She is now a happy, satisfied and confident woman. Her happiness and satisfaction made her wear a bikini even for the very first time ever in her life.

In her own words, the restoration of her breast gave her a new lease of life or rather gave her life back to her. To her, it is like her own breast which is beautiful and perfect in all the aspects.

The doctor responsible for the government to take such a move is a specialist in the reconstructive surgery after head, neck and breast cancer. According to him, he became an advocate of the law after reading a paper co written by his friend, which showed that the minority of women who were poverty stricken had lower chances of receiving breast reconstruction surgery following the cancer treatment, when compared to the more affluent women of the society.

Universal coverage in case of breast reconstruction after the cancer surgery is a thing that had been guaranteed by Congress in 1998, but only 30-40% women had received breast reconstruction.

But according to the doctor, the number could be around 75% if only they were informed about their options. Like his patient, many are still not informed by their doctors about the options they can have.

The doctor further reasons that one of the causes behind this low rate may be a dearth of plastic surgeons in places outside the high-end, expensive medical centers.

He gives another reason that the lack may be due to financial reasons as well.


The insurance covers only some amount of the entire bill and the rest has to be reimbursed by the patient, which may be around 30% of the total. Some even pay the entire amount themselves.

However, this option has proved to be a ray of hope for many cancer survivors.

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