Breast Reconstruction, Claiming the Right to Thorough Treatment

For many businesses, October represents the final stretch of the year, but also in the case of health issues it is breast cancer awareness month, which without a doubt should be a topic to discuss all year round and about which I want to share an important reflection.

In the battle against breast cancer, science and technology have played a monumental role in offering hope and dignity to survivors. A mastectomy, while often vital in fighting cancer, can profoundly affect a woman's self-esteem and confidence. However, at the heart of this dilemma, medical devices, especially breast implants, have emerged as silent heroes, offering patients the opportunity to restore not only their bodies, but their lives as well.

The array of information, innovations, and dissemination available regarding breast reconstruction have transformed the experience for women who are facing a mastectomy. Modern breast implants are not just aesthetic pieces; they symbolize hope, strength, and resistance. They allow patients to recover a fundamental part of their identity, helping them overcome the physical and emotional scars that breast cancer leaves behind.

Innovations in this field have been amazing. Breast implants have evolved significantly in terms of shape, texture, and safety. New technologies have allowed for greater customization that fit the individual needs and desires of each patient. Additionally, surgical techniques have improved, and today they offer more natural results and a faster recovery.

However, despite these developments, it is essential to address the challenges women face when they embark on their journey toward breast reconstruction. Accessibility to these procedures and devices remains an issue in many parts of the world, and it is essential to work to ensure that all women, regardless of their background or economic status, have access to breast reconstruction options.

To face these challenges, the Technical Council for Breast Reconstruction (COTREMA) has worked in recent years with different stakeholders to promote initiatives aimed at breast reconstruction. These initiatives are conceived not only as cosmetic interventions, but also as a fundamental right for female breast cancer survivors aimed at achieving full recovery throughout the entire year.

Developments to address this disease include the update of the Technical Protocol for Care of Malignant Breast Tumor (PTATMM) in May 2023. This protocol allows patients to exercise their right of access to reconstruction in the public health system. This is the tool that contains all the information that provides a comprehensive treatment and addresses emotional, physical, and sexual elements, which can be treated by the patient’s doctor.

Women should be informed about all the available options they have as well as receive adequate support to make informed decisions about their body and health. Health professionals, nonprofit organizations and society have the responsibility to communicate valuable information, while eliminating stigmas associated with breast reconstruction. Today in Mexico, there are more than 99,000 women with breast cancer and 35,000 require a mastectomy. Nevertheless, only 12,000 decide to have reconstruction, either due to lack of resources or information.

This is about restoring hope, confidence, and joy to a woman’s life, especially those who have gone through one of life's most difficult trials. It is a testament to the power of science and human compassion that work together to heal not only the body, but also the soul. In this journey of reconstruction, we find not only physical restoration, but also the rebirth of the human spirit, proving that strength and beauty are infinite, even beyond the scars.