Cancer Articles (Dr. S.N White)

Are there some medical reasons why I should wear a prosthesis?  Yes, there are medical reasons why you should wear a form to replace the missing breast. The weight of the remaining breast, particularly for women with medium to large breasts, can cause shoulder, neck, and back pain. You may find that your posture will change, with the affected shoulder rising, if you do not have a prosthesis. The larger the remaining breast, the more vital the need, not only for appearance but also for weight. For your own well being, emotional comfort, and self confidence, you should plan to buy a prosthesis. In many cases, a well fitted prosthetic device means the difference between prompt, cheerful, total recovery and long term personal distress. You will need some device to make your clothing fit well. Can I wear the prosthesis all the time?  Yes. Many patients wear it all the time, around the clock. Some patients start by wearing it a few hours a day and gradually increasing the num...

In the radical mastectomy (also known as the Halsted mastectomy) the doctor removes the breast tissue, the lymph nodes under the armpit, and the muscle under the breast. The modified radical, which most surgeons are now using, removes the breast tissue and the lymph nodes, but the muscle is left intact. The advantage of the modified radical is that it is cosmetically more attractive and does not handicap the motion of the arm. Studies indicate that the survival rate for the two operations is the same. Is the choice of what surgical procedure I will have up to me or up to the doctor? Of course your doctor is responsible for the surgery. But he cannot perform any operation unless you give your signed consent to have it done. You should have your doctor give you his complete explanation of what he recommends as his bestjudgment and ask him all the questions that concern you about the operation. Do not sign anything until you are certain you understand what you are signing. It is your r...