These silicone shells filled with salt water are available while FDA continues to review their safety. Using tissue from your back, abdomen or buttocks, your doctor reconstructs your breast to resemble the consistency of a normal breast. Following the initial surgery, you may choose to reconstruct the nipple or areola. One option is to tattoo the areola to simulate its natural color. After surgery, you might benefit from additional therapy to prevent the growth of any breast cancer cells that might have spread but are undetectable.
Some cancers respond to treatment with hormones.
These are usually drugs that counteract estrogen. If breast cancer has spread to lymph nodes, tamoxifen reduces the risk of recurrence by about one-third. Its widespread use prevents an estimated 10,000 deaths each year. Tamoxifen is less toxic than most anti-cancer drugs. Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer in some women.