Spotlight on Breast Preservation Foundation

ASBD, 08/03/2009

The Breast Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and informing breast cancer patients and their caregivers about the availability of a newer, less invasive mastectomy procedure called "skin-sparing mastectomy" (SSM) as an alternative to the archaic practice of cutting across the whole breast, leaving unnecessarily disfiguring scars. The surgical technique removes cancerous breast tissue by using the same minimal and judiciously placed incisions used by plastic surgeons for elective breast surgery. Despite the availability of this new breast conserving surgical technique, which dramatically improves the aesthetic results of mastectomy without sacrificing outcomes, SSM is still underutilized by breast surgeons.

Founded by Joel Aronowitz, MD, Clinical Chief of the Plastic Surgery Division at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the Breast Preservation Foundation has been working diligently with organizations and advocacy groups, the medical community, legislators and the public to raise awareness for this procedure by influencing breast cancer patients and breast surgeons to make it the gold standard in treatment options available for patients who are candidates for reconstructive surgery.

Recent medical research data indicates that breast cancer diagnoses are on the rise. With the number of new breast cancer cases, mastectomy procedures have also increased significantly, comprising a recent trend in elective or preventative mastectomy when cancer has not yet been diagnosed. Women facing these serious health concerns need to be well informed of their treatment and surgical choices, which will surely affect a cancer survivor’s quality of life and overall sense of wellness.

For more information about skin-sparing mastectomy or to join the educational mission of the Breast Preservation Foundation, please visit www.breastpreservation.org.