HOW THE AiRS FOUNDATION IS EMPOWERING WOMEN
Photo Credit: airsfoundation.org
Hard to believe, but up to 70% of breast cancer survivors who have had a mastectomy are unsure of or unaware of their reconstruction options. Plus way too many women who desire surgery don’t have the insurance or resources to cover it.
Based in Dallas, the AiRS Foundation (Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women with the costs of breast reconstruction post mastectomy, and connecting them with doctors who can help. The organization also acts as a resource and a support system for survivors.
According to Dallas plastic surgeon Rod T. Rohrich, MD, FACS, “We are very proud of what AiRS has done in such a short time period in helping hundr
BREAST INTENTIONS: KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
At long last, there is some good news for women.
Death rates from female breast cancer fell by close to 40% from 1989 to 2015, largely due to earlier diagnosis and improved treatments including targeted therapies, according to the American Cancer Society. One area where we are making great strides is access to breast reconstruction. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Plastic Surgery Foundation are leading the Breast Reconstruction Awareness USA Campaign or BRADAYUSA campaign. To date, this campaign has raised more than $931,000 to support research, projects, programs and the charitable surgical care of women in need of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. In short, this
MEET EMILY McLAUGHLIN: FORT WORTH TEXAS PLASTIC SURGEON
Photo Credit: beautyinthebag.com
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and, as a plastic surgeon and a breast cancer survivor, Emily McLaughlin, MD, offers a unique perspective on the way that breast reconstruction surgery has evolved over the years. The Fort Worth, Texas-based surgeon is double board certified in plastic and general surgery and fellowship trained in craniofacial surgery. She took some time to chat with Beauty in the Bag about breast cancer, breast reconstruction and why she loves what she does.
BreastReconstructionMatters.com
1. How has breast reconstruction changed over the past decade?
“There have been SO many changes in breast reconstruction over the past decade. In the time I have
ANGELINA JOLIE’S SURGEON SPEAKS OUT FOR BRA DAY
Photo Credit: plasticsurgery.org
He is the man of the hour, but Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Jay Orringer, MD, is not one for seeking the spotlight. Orringer performed actress and advocate Angelina Jolie’s breast reconstruction surgery earlier this year, yet he is only officially coming forward now.
Academy Award winner Jolie, a mother of six and human rights advocate, underwent a preventive mastectomy to reduce her risk of breast cancer after gene testing. She opened up about her experiences in a New York Times Op-Ed piece that got the world talking about breast cancer risk. Jolie’s mother, actress Marcheline Bertrand, died from ovarian cancer in 2007, at the age of 56.
Jolie tested positive for the BRC
