One in eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Overcoming breast cancer is a personal journey with choices along the way. There are choices about the type of breast surgery, the need for additional treatments, and options for breast reconstruction. Research has found that breast reconstruction contributes to a woman’s self-esteem and sense of well-being; however, more than 70 percent of women eligible for breast reconstruction are not informed of all of their options.

The media frequently raises awareness about breast cancer, but awareness does not always translate into a positive impact on health care. Agreeing or disagreeing that Angelina Jolie Pitt’s decision to surgically remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes to prevent ovarian cancer was a brave and heroic act is a matter of perspective. However, between the lines of Angelina’s latest NY Times article (“Angelina Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery”, NY Times, March 24, 2015) lies a more subtle message… KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND WOMEN THEY NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR OWN PHYSICAL HEALTH. This is a dialogue that we need to have with ourselves. Angelina Jolie Pitt made decisions consistent with her history and lifestyle. As the Delphic maxim says in the Temple of Apollo: “Know yourself.” Each person is driven by different motives and sensitivities, personally unique to their individual circumstances. There is always more than one way to deal with any health problem. The most important thing is to know your options and choose what is right for you and your loved ones.

Any woman diagnosed with breast cancer should seek a referral to a plastic surgeon to learn about all of her reconstructive options before treating and removing the cancer. Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy generally falls into two categories: implant-based reconstruction or reconstruction using a person’s own tissue, also known as autologous reconstruction. Autologous reconstruction can be subdivided into flap reconstruction, total reconstruction with autologous fat transfer, or a combination of the two. Reconstructive techniques are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and techniques are often combined to give the best result.

Breast reconstruction is done in stages, which means that more than one surgery will be necessary to rebuild the breasts to a more natural shape and size. Not all plastic surgeons are the same, and the strength of another lies in the weakness of one. Talking to more than one plastic surgeon can help a woman affected by breast cancer (and her family) see the picture through a larger lens.

As healthcare professionals, we are here to help you make the decisions that will give you the best quality of life for the long term. Closing her article, Jolie Pitt movingly wrote: “It’s not easy to make these decisions. But it is possible to take control and address any health issue head-on. You can seek advice, learn about your options, and make the right choices.” for you.”