Mastectomy

A mastectomy is surgery to remove a breast. It is performed either to treat or to prevent breast cancer. Only high-risk patients have surgery to prevent cancer. There are four main types:

• Total mastectomy - removal of breast tissue and nipple
• Modified radical mastectomy - removal of the breast, most of the lymph nodes under the arm and often the lining over the chest muscles
• Lumpectomy - removal of a breast tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue, usually including most of the underarm lymph nodes
• Radical mastectomy - the removal of the breast, lymph nodes and chest muscles. This is no longer common

Which surgery you have depends on the stage of cancer, size of the tumor, size of the breast and whether the lymph nodes are involved. Many women have breast reconstruction to rebuild the breast after a mastectomy.

National Cancer Institute

Mastectomy on Wikipedia

In medicine, '''mastectomy''' is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to combat breast cancer; in some cases, women believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer rather than treat it. In contrast, in a lumpectomy, a lump of tissue rather than the whole breast is removed. Lumpectomies have become the more common treatment and are now the most common.[http://www.breastcancer.org/tre_surg_conssurg.html]   [ Read More ]

External Resources

The Enhancement Corporation of America - Discount priced breast forms, breast form swimsuits and bras, mastectomy, cross gender, transgender forms, attachable forms.

HealthQuest - Offers products including support pillows, allergen elimination products, mastectomy products, incontinence items, footwear, and back supports.

Liberator Medical Supply - Offers a range of products including mobility devices, ostomy supplies, diabetic care, blood pressure equipment, and mastectomy supplies. Search by product name or description, or by manufacturer.

Close To You - Women's mastectomy boutique featuring breast forms, bras, camisoles, headwear, swimwear, and lingerie. Includes product care and fitting guides.

Sandy's Mastectomy Boutique - Designer prostheses, bras, enhancers, bathing suits and post mastectomy accessories, and lymphadema products. Provides cancer information and links to related sites.

Bras Etc. - Breast prostheses plus bras, swimwear and lingerie. Regularly works with mastectomy patients.

Woman's Personal Health Resource - Mastectomy bras, swimwear, sports bras, breast forms, post-surgery camisoles, headwear, turbans, wigs, and compression stockings. Order by phone.

Tender Loving Care - American Cancer Society - Specializing in products for hair loss and mastectomy for women coping with breast surgery or cancer related chemo treatments. Products include hats, turbans, kerchiefs, wigs, nightgowns, bras, forms, and awareness pins. TLC is a part of ACS patient support program.

It's Me Masectomy Supplies - Mastectomy supplies, wigs, and bras. Featuring small to plus size bras, wigs, hats, and mastectomy supplies.

J.S.A.W. Mastectomy Designs - Sleepwear with sewn in breast form pockets for the post mastectomy lady.

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