National No BRA Day

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the third Wednesday of October, millions of women leave their bras at home to bring attention to breast reconstruction after cancer.

National No BRA Day originated in Canada where Dr. Mitchell Brown, plastic surgeon, created Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day. The day was originally designed to educate breast cancer patients about mastectomy surgeries and the choice of reconstruction.

About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime; however, the good news is the 5-year overall survival for women with stage I breast cancer has increased 90 percent. Along with the increased survival rates, the options for breast reconstruction has also increased and improved.

Whether you have had breast cancer, know someone who has (or does), we should all be diligent about knowing the facts and learning how to help those affected by this disease. Watch this short video, and share it with your girlfriends; it offers a clinical look at what to expect with reconstructive surgery.

RECONSTRUCTION QUICK FACTS

Studies have revealed:

89 percent of women want to see breast reconstruction surgery results before undergoing cancer treatment.

Less than a quarter (23 percent) of women know the wide range of breast reconstruction options available.

Only 22 percent of women are familiar with the quality of outcomes that can be expected.

Only 19 percent of women understand that the timing of their treatment for breast cancer and the timing of their decision to undergo reconstruction greatly impacts their options and results.

Statistics from Breast Reconstruction Awareness

Breast Reconstruction Awareness has a powerful website that provides information, education, support, grants and more for breast cancer patients, survivors and their families. Go to www.breastreconusa.org/ to learn more about costs, types of reconstruction, risks, safety, recovery, results, preparation, consultation, terms to know, and if reconstruction is for you.