Breast Cancer and Mastectomy

In the UK, breast cancer is still the most common malignancy in women, with around 42,000 new cases diagnosed every year and rising. Due to a better understanding of cancer biology, the treatment of breast cancer has shifted progressively towards breast conserving therapy. Nevertheless, for approximately one third of all breast cancer patients, a mastectomy still becomes an inevitability.

For the percentage of women needing a mastectomy, only a relatively small number opt for breast reconstruction, in spite of the notion that reconstructive surgery can significantly improve their quality of life. Despite the remarkable developments in reconstructive surgery and the diverse solutions currently available, the number of women that undergo reconstructive surgery still remains astonishingly small. Part of the drive of the Didyma Foundation is to help change this by presenting the patient and their families with comprehensive information, patient testimonials and, by addressing common questions.