Category Archives: lumpectomy

Comfortable Bra for Breast Cancer Patients, Others

Tamika Mayes has developed a comfortable bra _ both those who have undergone breast surgery and others who just want a comfortable undergarment.

Mayes, of Detroit, designed the seamless bra for her mother-in-law, Celeste Hinds, of Southfield, who found most bras uncomfortable after she underwent radiation for breast cancer.

Mayes learned how to sew, bought a machine and set out to make a unique, seamless comfortable garment for breast cancer patients who find the stitching in many products just to irritating to their skin, both after surgery or radiation or for years afterwards.

Her product, Reyz, is a wire-free bra made of 12 % spandex lycra and 88% microfiber nylon.

It is $55 and comes in black or nude colors and sizes small/medium; medium/large; large/extra-large; and extra-large/2X.

Though Mayes designed the bra for breast cancer patients, she has found that other women like it because it doesn’t ride up, as many soft bras do. “Any woman can wear it,” said Mayes. “Women with heavy breasts say, this is so comfortable.”

I have searched for years for a comfortable wireless bra that doesn’t ride up. I bought one of Mayes’ bras, which arrived quickly in the mail in a beautifully packaged box. I recommend it for its comfort and wearability.

Mayes has teamed up with a U.S. company to make the first 1,000 bras. Women can order the product on line, getreyz.com, or at some of the pop-up stores Mayes plans to hold in the year ahead.

She also plans to make other products, including a bra with a pocket to hold a prothesis as well as larger sizes. She is open to other suggestions.

Lumpectomy guidelines reduce need for return operations, study shows

After years of women returning for repeat lumpectomies because the margins of their tumor contain cancer, new guidelines are reducing these re-operations. Here’s a new study on the issue: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2630063?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=content-shareicons&utm_content=article_engagement&utm_medium=social&utm_term=060517#.WTVwtIWiO2E.facebook

New Pain Relief Options After Breast Reconstruction

Linda holding pain system bag Apr 28 2017

Detroit breast cancer survivor, Dr. Linda Johnson, is shown here with the “On-Q Pain Relief System, which she used to reduce post-operative pain after breast reconstruction. It is a non-narcotic system. “This is a little pump about the size of a small can of soup that contains pain reliever that comes into your system automatically for a few days after surgery,’’ says Johnson, a retired school principal. “The pump goes to a tiny plastic tube that the surgeon installs in your chest. This little dickens really worked!!  All I had to do was to carry it around in the little nylon bag shown in the picture.  By day I used it like a shoulder bag and at night I just kept it beside me in the bed. The doc will take out the 4 or 5 inches of tubing that went into my body when I go for my check up next week.  Easy breezy, it gives a constant stream of pain relief, and doesn’t involve pills.” For details: http://www.myon-q.com/why-on-q.aspx

 

Photographer Shares Lumpectomy Story; 17 Book Photos Show Changing Breast Surgery Demographics

http://www.freep.com/story/life/2016/07/09/breast-cancer-surgery-reconstruction-mastectomy/86825740/

http://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/life/2016/07/09/breast-cancer-survivors-share-their-story-for-new-reconstruction-book/86904190/

Here’s the link to Kathleen Galligan’s moving story about her breast cancer diagnosis, reprinted in today’s Detroit Free Press. The newspaper’s web site, freep.com, also uses 17 photos  (second link) of the wonderful women in “Breast Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction: What’s Right for You.” Kathleen’s photos truly brought the book to life and her story is one thousands of women will identify with. It explains how all cancer, even early, less problematic ones, are traumatic. I hope Kathleen and all women with breast cancer are showered in love, support and respect today.

Author’s note: The spotlight isn’t my happy place. I’m very private. Or was.
FREEP.COM

Double Mastectomy Trend Brings Better Lumpectomy Advice from some Teams

As double mastectomy rates rise, some doctors and medical centers have developed a coordinated program where specialists help women understand that a double mastectomy gives a woman no greater chance she’ll live longer.

The number of breast-cancer patients choosing double mastectomies has soared, and some cancer specialists are trying to persuade women to choose more conservative treatments.
WSJ.COM|BY LUCETTE LAGNADO

Breast Surgeons, Hospitals Influence Mastectomy Choices in Older Women, Study Finds

More evidence that a woman’s breast surgeon and her hospital most heavily influence mastectomy decisions by older women. These hospital and physician practice patterns are common throughout the U.S., we found in reporting for “Breast Cancer Surgery & Reconstruction: What’s Right for You,” coming June 16 from Rowman & Littlefield onAmazon.com, and some Barnes & Noble and other select bookstores.

@bcsurgerystories.com

 

A substantial and independent association…
ONCOLOGYNURSEADVISOR.COM

Delayed Breast Reconstruction Causes Fewer Complications in Larger Women Undergoing Radiation, Study Finds

Here’s an important less-discussed issue for thousands of women who undergo lumpectomy and radiation. Reconstruction is best done in stages after surgery, an MD Anderson team finds. We explore the issue of delayed reconstruction in our upcoming book, Breast Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction: What’s Best for You” coming June 16.

Obese patients who underwent oncoplastic breast reconstruction after mastectomy experienced fewer…
HEALIO.COM