Breast Cancer Patients Are Likely to Have Unrelated Cosmetic Surgery

A new study examined the link between breast cancer patients and cosmetic surgery. A small number of patients who have undergone breast reconstruction surgery underwent cosmetic treatments to improve their self-esteem. Researchers studied more than 1,214 women, who had breast reconstruction between 2005 and 2012. Of these, 113 also had cosmetic procedures. Thirty-three percent of survey respondents from that pool said they had liposuction, 19 percent had a facelift and 12 percent had eyelid surgery. Their reasons for wanting the cosmetic surgery were overwhelmingly to improve their self-image (62 percent). Many said they were more self-conscious about their appearance after having breast reconstruction surgery. Most reported being more satisfied with their self-image after the cosmetic surgery; however, 28 percent said they did not experience any improvement. https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/forums/range/read.php?9,26993

 “Breast reconstruction is transformative in many ways. When a woman faces the prospect of losing a breast, one of the most gratifying things plastic surgeons can offer is the ability to help reconstruct the breast and possibly improve her appearance and restore her self-confidence,” said Dr. Liza Wu, the study’s co-author. Dr. Wu also notes that just a small number of breast cancer patients have cosmetic surgery, but for those that do, it can go a long way in helping boost patients’ self-esteem. - See more at:http://uchem.berkeley.edu/forum/read.php?26,500484