October 2022 Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Posted September 27, 2022
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Resources
Hearts of Steel Dragon Boats – Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel is a non-profit breast cancer organization in Pittsburgh, PA, that spreads awareness through the sport of Dragon Boat Paddling. They officially launched on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, PA, in May 2017 with 21 survivors and several local supporters in the community. A robust desire, gritty determination, and perseverance intermingled with dedicated leadership and hard work all came together with much effort in creating our new Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Paddling team, Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel!
Cancer Bridges – Formerly known separately as Cancer Caring Center and Our Clubhouse, Cancer Bridges was established in 2021 to streamline outreach and support to the cancer community. Both organizations continually looked to enhance programs and services for their members, and becoming one organization provides the opportunity to continue our evolution together while supporting their mission – to support those impacted by cancer through various free programs and services.
Cancer Be Glammed – Cancer Be Glammed enables women to have a well-prepared recovery and to shop for fashionable recovery clothes, accessories, and gifts.
Breast Cancer and Reconstruction Updates
In the past year, with the improvement in techniques for both the breast surgeon and the plastic surgeon, it has become common to perform single and bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction as outpatient procedures. Skin sparing and nipple sparring mastectomy techniques have also become more common depending upon the proximity of the tumor site to the nipple. There have also been significant improvements in chemotherapy regimens and, in some cases, the uses of immunotherapy to treat certain types of breast cancer.
Once a patient has seen their breast surgeon, they will be referred to a plastic surgeon to discuss potential reconstruction when a mastectomy is required to remove the tumor. The plastic surgeon will review the notes from the breast surgeon and discuss a treatment plan with the breast surgeon after the patient has been seen and examined. The plastic surgeon will discuss the reconstruction of the breast with the patient and review the treatment stages so the patient understands the process involved. Staff from each office will work together to schedule surgery and follow-up care. Everyone involved is working together to give the patient the support needed throughout their care.
