They also say breast reconstruction makes them feel whole again. Yet this in no way contradicts those women who feel quite whole without reconstruction. The decision is an extremely personal one. Those women who do not opt for breast reconstruction may choose to wear an external prosthesis. Lighter and less bulky than in earlier years, today's prostheses can be worn as soon as a woman's mastectomy wounds have sufficiently healed.
Some women are comfortable without a prosthesis or reconstruction.
One woman diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 60s says reconstruction didn't seem important at the time of her surgery. She now wears a prosthesis, but just when she goes out. Surgical Team Cooperation Tumor management must be the foremost consideration for any woman diagnosed with breast cancer. The type and timing of reconstruction must be agreed upon by the medical oncologist, radiologist, breast surgeon and reconstructive surgeon. For this reason, each woman's case should be reviewed by the breast cancer management team prior to treatment.