In the United States, 13% of the women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. For many of those women, breast reconstruction can be a meaningful step toward healing after a mastectomy, and donated tissue plays a role in making it possible. One tissue donor can help more than five women undergoing breast reconstruction surgery.
The signs
Early detection saves lives, and knowing the signs is the first step. These are some of the signs worth bringing up with a doctor:
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area
- Change in breast size or shape
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
To learn more about recognizing the signs, visit the Mayo Clinic’s website.
Celebrating BRA Day
Oct. 21 is Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day! Every year on the third Wednesday in October, we celebrate the strong people who have undergone breast reconstruction surgery. This national observance is designed to promote education, awareness and access to information regarding post-mastectomy breast reconstruction options.
BRAvo for Breast Reconstruction Awareness! Donor Network of Arizona is celebrating with its second annual BRAvo Farmers Market on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 3-7 p.m. It’s more than about shopping locally. It’s about uplifting and providing hope for breast cancer survivors. Our Tissue Systems Optimization teams will also host a discussion panel to provide education about breast cancer prevention, tissue donation’s role in recovery and restoration procedures.
Events like these are hosted to make sure women and men of all ages have information on breast cancer and know what to look for during a self-examination. BRA Day aims to offer hope in some of the hardest times of their lives.
A tough decision
For Delfina Arroyo, that hope is personal. Arroyo has a prominent family history of cancer. Uterine, ovarian, breast, lung and kidney cancers run in her family. Arroyo lost her aunt and brother to cancer. Doctors told Arroyo she was prone to cancer because of a gene mutation.
Arroyo, who is a mother of two, was left in a difficult position. Her choices were to either wait for cancer or have a preventative double mastectomy.
“If I can take care of this with one surgery versus have my kids later on deal with the pain I’ve dealt with, then I’d rather just do it,” Arroyo said.
Healing in body and spirit
Arroyo resumed a healthy life after reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy. Now a tissue recipient, the most important part of all was hugging her children again.
“The look on my daughter’s face every day when I would tell her we can’t cuddle because of my surgery, it would break my heart,” she said.
For women like Arroyo, donation is both a gift given and a gift received, a cycle of healing that connects donors, survivors and the families who say yes in their hardest moments.
Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in celebration of BRA Day, we hope more people consider registering as donors, so more women can experience that healing.
To register as a tissue donor and give hope, please visit DNAZ.org/register.