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Posted by Betsy Mullen on 7/28/2000 from 152.163.201.61:

In reply to: Decision - Silicone or Saline Implants? posted by Chelyn on 7/23/2000 from 152.163.201.214:

Dear Chelyn:

I am glad that you contacted our web site's message board, and hope that you also made direct contact with WIN Against Breast Cancer (WIN ABC) by calling our office and/or by filling out the Personal Profile Form at the top of this page, which remains confidential. Please rest assured that this message board is well-attended and the our organization is deeply committed to providing patients, their loved ones and the public-at-large with the comprehensive information and support that they need about breast health, breast cancer and issues surrounding a diagnosis of breast cancer.

You can contact our trained information specialists directly by calling our main office at (626) 332-2255. If the telephone call is long distance, please let our staff knoiw that you would like them to call you back so that the call is on "our dime".

You raise a very valid question that I can personally relate to, having been faced with your same questions and treatment decisions eight years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer (I was 33 years old). I underwent a modified radical mastectomy with an immediate lattisimus dorsi breast reconstruction using a saline-filled breast implant. I also had 6-months of CMF adjuvant chemotherapy.

Breast implants have been well-studied and scrutinized for over 20 years, with the scientific determination(s) that silicone gel and saline-filled breast implants pose no health threats.

My first question that prefaces my response to your question is, have you discussed this matter with your plastic surgeon and other members of your health care team?

WIN ABC will be happy to rush you out a video-tape about breast reconstruction and an entire package of resource materials, including our comprehensive Breast Cancer Resource Guide, questions to ask your doctors about breast cancer, relaxation audiotape, Guide for Cancer Supporters and other books, free of charge and sent out via Priority Mail.

Please visit the "Help Yourself" section of this web site and the decision-making checklist that has assisted hundreds of patients with the challenges of msking treatment decisions.

Silicone gel-filled breast implants do tend to afford an improved aesthetic appearance and feel than do saline-filled breast implants. In my case, you can see some rippling on my recontructed breast which can happen with saline-filled breast implants. I am still, overall, pleased with the result.

I have had to undergo an implant exchange due to the development of what is called a capsular contracture -- scar tissue forming around the implant. My smooth-textured original implant was replaced (after removing the scar tissue) with a textured-surface breast implant which seemed to work. There are also implants with a "tear drop" shape, that can also enhance a natural looking appearance of breast reconstruction.

Another question I have for you is, have you discussed a skin-sparing mastectomy with your surgeons? Depending upon the size and area encompassed by the tumor/lesion(s), a skin-sparing mastectomy can be performed without compromizing your prognosis and improving the aesthetic appearance of your mastectomy and reconstuction.

I have included a link to the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons' web site, which is an excellent resource for breast reconstruction and surgery for symetry on the opposite breast. In addition, I suggest that you call the Mentor H/S hot line at (800) MENTOR-8 (800-636-8678. Mentor is a manufacturer of breast implants and operates a patient information telephone line. You can also visit their web site at www.mentorcorp.com.

I hope that you do (or have) contact WIN Against Breast Cancer directly so that we can provide you with the one-on-one support and information that you need and deserve. We also have an award-winning program of excellence called the Breast Buddy Breast Care Program, which matches breast cancer patients with specially trained survivor-mentors to provide long-term one-on-one support to patients. We can put you together with women who have had the same type of diagnosis, questions and treatment that you will be having.

Please keep me up-to-date on how you are doing and I wish you a speedy and full recovery.

My warmest personal regards,
Betsy

Betsy Mullen
Founder, President/CEO
WIN Against Breast Cancer
www.winabc.org
(626) 332-2255

• American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

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