Four uniquely designed cakes have been donated and will be auctioned at the event
PRMA Center for Advanced Breast Reconstruction is hosting the first annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day on Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. The free event will feature the “Cakes for a Cause Silent Auction” with all proceeds benefitting Texas WINGS (Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving and Sharing). Guest speaker Oscar Ochoa, M.D. will discuss the various reconstruction procedures available for post-mastectomy patients, health insurance coverage and the differences between immediate and delayed post-mastectomy surgery. To RSVP, contact patientadvocate@prmaplasticsurgery.com.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women (after skin cancer), yet only 30 percent of American women are offered the option of breast reconstruction after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The San Antonio event is patterned after the first annual national Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day-USA), to be held on Oct. 17, 2012. This initiative was first held in Canada in 2011 and seeks to promote education, awareness and access to post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Dr. Oscar Ochoa, plastic surgeon with PRMA, the largest breast cancer reconstruction practice in the U.S., said, “As a practice that specializes in breast reconstruction, we see firsthand how reconstruction surgery after mastectomy changes lives.” He said, “We believe all women with breast cancer should be well informed concerning all aspects of their treatment options, including reconstruction.”
Cakes have been donated by Methodist Healthcare, St. Phillip’s College Culinary Department, Sprinkle’s Cake Shop and The Art Institute.
The event also will feature breast cancer survivors who will share their stories.
PRMA has performed over 4,000 flap surgeries, primarily at Methodist Hospital, however even with so many procedures being performed, many breast cancer patients are not fully aware of their breast reconstruction options. PRMA surgeons say that doctors also need to be more educated about the procedure and patients should know that prosthetics and implants aren’t the only options.