Woman DENIED breast reconstruction after cancer due to funding cuts.

My mother had to go private for her breastcancer treatment. As the NHS wanted her to have a reconstruction in her remaining breast, but also said the chances were very high for it to come back in that one. So she wanted both off. Apparently the NHS do not chop off healthy body parts So she was told reconstruction or nothing basically. Luckily she could afford to go private and sort it though. But the double standards in so many aspects of NHS care are just ridiculous.

I don't get how this is misogynistic, unless I've missed something. It's unfortunate for the poor lady but the NHS has to prioritise, she will probably get a reconstruction in time, just not yet.

I had a mastectomy 6 years ago and was given an immediate reconstruction. The first thing I did when I came round on the ward was look at it. I was so pleased with it, even though there was a big scar and no nipple - that was to be reconstructed at a later date. When I went to the hospital a week later for a dressing change the nurse asked me if I had looked at it yet, I said yes, it was the first thing I did after I woke up. She said some women can't bring themselves to look at it, even a week later!! It is a traumatic event, physically, mentally and emotionally. Anything that can be done to ease the pain can only be a good thing.

Pandoraslastchance
Have you heard of the 'Look Good Feel Better' courses?
I know a number of friends who found them really useful.

R0wantrees

I have read them.

Again I ask , why is there only 1 hospital treating patients from East London through to East Anglia, offering this surgery?

Do you not think that is scandalous?

Weetabixandshreddies
If you took the trouble to read posts around yours you wouldn't need to ask.
You won't I'm sure.

How the hell am I showing scant regard for women?

I am asking why this is happening? What can be done about it? Why we appear to have only 1 hospital covering an area stretching from Greater London to East Anglia that can perform this surgery? Because that is frankly outrageous if that is the case.

How the hell is that showing scant regard for women?

Weetabix You are showing scant regard for women on this thread discussing their experiences of cancer treatments.

I just fail to understand why every discussion turns away from the initial point and ends up being about trans issues.

There's no mention in this story about trans men or women having any bearing on waiting times at Broomfield.

No one is looking at why this has happened or how it can be addressed, it's just turned into a discussion about TRAs and mastectomies, regardless of whether it is relevant here.

Pandora . Wishing you every luck, and sending strength, for your continued treatment.

Weetabix said ...Then maybe start a general thread to talk about it?

I responded. Now that's wrong?

Pandora

Has anyone pointed you at YBCN on FB? It's for women who've been diagnosed with BC under the age of 45. I found it very supportive.

Pandoraslastchance
It is absolutely not vanity.
You are going through so much, I hope you have lots of support.

I have just come home from having a mastectomy at 32. Having reconstruction surgery is the o it thing keeping me going. I've lost my hair, eyebrows and I may now be infertile(we don't know for sure) I've still got radiation and another 6 cycles of chemo ahead of me.

I've got a fake soft boob but it is no where near what was chopped away. I was rather fond of my boobs, in fact I now need a whole new wardrobe as 95% of my rope showed a bit of cleavage, which I now don't have.

It sounds so vain as I'm happy to be alive but my surgeon has told me to go away and lose a lot of weight(over 7 stone) before i can have any reconstruction surgery. BUT at least I have the chance to have a reconstruction compared to this poor woman.

It's not right.

HelenaDove

Broomfield in the regional centre for plastics isn't it - are the long waiting lists due to lack of provision elsewhere in the area? This lady had her initial treatment at Queens in Romford and the report makes it seem like there are no other options (unless you live in Norfolk or Oxford) so no wonder they are overwhelmed if taking all patients from Romford to Chelmsford.

How is that impacting on the treatment of patients living in Chelmsford? Presumably it's worse because where is their alternative?

Retire - should read restore

We need to trust the nhs, but many people are having to battle with battling it.

I also recognise her description of how she hung on to the thought of reconstruction and this helped her get through gruelling chemotherapy etc.

I found this heartbreaking. She was led to believe that reconstruction was part of the treatment, and then it was taken away from her.

We need to trust the nhs, but many people are having to battle with battling it.

The impact of cancer diagnosis and treatments & emotional aftermath of a cancer diagnosis is often not processed unto;after the busy business of treatment dies down and you're trying to work out what to do next.
THere's a really good article by Dr Peter Harvey:
www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Its within this context that that the impact of the decision has to be understood.

Reconstruction is part of the treatment cycle for cancer. Cancer treatment isn’t just ‘remove/halt/remission/manage’ its ‘retire the body as much as possible to working form and function.’

Just as if you had a car wreck and had life saving surgery as an emergency and are stable but need further surgery. You don’t get stabilised and out on the street . So reconstruction should be a fairly high priority. As should, if clinically possible, gamete preservation. These are not ‘frivolous’ procedures.

The reluctance to give breast reduction on NHS even when size of breasts is

Causing physical pain / long term damage
Causing massive loss to quality of life (some of which can be attributed to how others react to big boobs)
Causing loss of confidence and mental health issues
Preventing a woman participating in sport etc

Yes it's seen as optional, not important.

It's becasue it's women and breasts, I think.

I also recognise her description of how she hung on to the thought of reconstruction and this helped her get through gruelling chemotherapy etc.

Absolutely, R0. The impact this refusal must have had on her mental health can't be underestimated.

(in my opinion)

It really is best not to engage with Weetabix demands and questions.