National task force will attend victims of breast cancer

Hundreds of women who have undergone mastectomy—removal of one or both breasts—will be attended without medical fees by plastic surgeons for breast reconstruction surgery. This is the 2nd National Breast Reconstruction Task Force, coordinated by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP), which will happen between October 24 to 29. At least 800 professionals are expected to take part in the action.

Patients have already been selected and have done all medical tests necessary for the surgery. At least 842 surgeries will be performed in 98 hospitals in 18 of the 27 Brazilian states.

Self-esteem

In an interview to Agência Brasil, SBCP President Luciano Chaves pointed out that breast reconstruction is part of the breast cancer treatment currently implemented in Brazil. The treatment involves diagnosis, surgery to remove part of the breast or the entire breast, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and finally, reconstruction surgery. Breast reconstruction is a right enforced by law.

"The task force improves these patients' self-esteem. Studies show that reconstructed women are less likely to suffer cancer recurrence because these diseases are related to the production of endorphins and emotional balance," he said.

Waiting list

Chaves noted that Brazil reports about 50,000 cases of breast cancer every year. Of these, around 12,000 patients die soon after diagnosis. Of the other 38,000, about 5,000 can afford to undergo breast reconstruction surgery in the private health care system. Thus, more than 30,000 women depend on the public health care system to have the surgery.

"Every year, about 25,000 and 27,000 women are left without breast reconstruction surgery. The average waiting time for a Brazilian mastectomized woman in public system is around ten years. In France, for example, for every 100 women undergoing mastectomy, 82 do reconstruction in the first year after the procedure," he reported.

According to Chaves, in 2012, when the 1st National Breast Reconstruction Task Force was organized, 555 patients underwent surgery within a week, while the public health care system performs 1,120 surgeries in a year. "We need very large logistics for this task force. This year, the event was greatly facilitated by the donation of 500 breast implants made by a manufacturing company. In the first year, the prostheses had to be purchased by the health departments from each state."

October Rose

According to the National Cancer Institute, the breast tumor is the second most common cancer among women in Brazil and in the world—second only to non-melanoma skin cancer. The disease accounts for about 25% of new cancer cases reported every year.

In 2016, the October Rose campaign adopted as slogan: "Breast cancer: let's talk about it?" The goal is to endorse the recommendations for screening and early diagnosis, and to demystify concepts related to the disease. The date is annually celebrated in order to share information, foster awareness, and provide greater access to diagnostic and treatment services, as well as contributing to the reduction of mortality.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta