Immediate breast reconstruction

When cancer affects the breast, for many women it can be an emotional journey of altered femininity even after breast-conserving treatment.

To further individualize treatment planning, the Odette Cancer Centre's immediate breast reconstruction clinic offers appropriate patients same-time access to experts in breast cancer surgery and immediate reconstructive surgery. The clinic is a unique collaboration led by three breast surgical oncologists, and two plastic surgeons trained in microsurgery and oncologic reconstruction, and includes radiation oncologists.

Lori Vajda, 42, had breast cancer. She came to the clinic because more surgery was needed. Margins in her treated breast remained unclear and a family history meant a 60 per cent chance of recurrence. She needed a bilateral mastectomy.

"It gave me tremendous added confidence knowing my surgeon and my plastic surgeon were working together," says Lori. "They removed the cancer and lowered my risk while doing immediate reconstruction to help me regain a sensual and important part of who I am as a woman."