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Some breast cancer patients opt out of reconstruction surgery

PLANTATION, Fla. ā€“ A recent survey found that 72 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer undergo mastectomy, but some are opting not to do breast reconstruction.

Dr. Alejandra Perez with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center said thereā€™s a movement underway called ā€˜going flatā€™ where women are challenging long held assumptions around femininity.

ā€œWomen, we are more than just breasts and women donā€™t need breasts to feel whole and thatā€™s what many of the women that are proponents of ā€˜going flatā€™, thatā€™s what they say and they feel good with themselves. They need to get used to their new post breast cancer body and they feel whole like that and thatā€™s a good thing,ā€ she said.

Perez pointed out that the treatments for breast cancer can be emotionally and physically exhausting and some women simply donā€™t want to undergo the involved process of reconstruction and possible complications.

And studies funded by the National Institutes of Health are revealing the damaging effects of vaping and smoking on blood vessels.

As a result, the studies found that long term use of electronic cigarettes or vaping products increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Additionally the use of both e-cigs and regular cigarettes may cause even greater risk than the use of either of these products alone.

The findings have implications for efforts to regulate both tobacco products and e-cigarettes.


About the Authors
Kristi Krueger headshot

Kristi Krueger has built a solid reputation as an award-winning medical reporter and effervescent anchor. She joined Local 10 in August 1993. After many years co-anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., Kristi now co-anchors the noon newscasts, giving her more time in the evening with her family.

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