Beautiful After Breast Cancer Foundation

Prevention

Modern medicine is increasingly transitioning towards preventive care. This shift towards prevention has also been observed in breast cancer care in recent years, particularly with the discovery of the BRCA gene. Subsequently, multiple genes and risk factors have been identified. Depending on these factors, a personalized screening strategy can be chosen. Therefore, it is crucial to understand these genetic and risk factors.

Diagnosis

I was diagnosed with cancer ... This website serves as a portal designed to assist you and your loved ones in accessing personal information and finding solutions to your concerns.

The primary goal of this website is to offer guidance and support to patients as they navigate their journey toward recovery and improved quality of life. The "Diagnosis" section of our website is divided into two main categories. Firstly, under "Anatomy and Physiology," we provide fundamental knowledge about the breast. Secondly, in the "Tumors and Disorders" section, we delve deeper into various breast-related conditions.

Moreover, we aim to provide information to women who may be concerned about potential breast issues but are hesitant to seek immediate medical advice. Knowledge and information can often offer immediate reassurance if a woman is able to identify the issue herself and determine that no specific treatment is necessary. Conversely, we also strive to educate women who have received a diagnosis of a serious breast condition, such as breast cancer, and wish to approach their doctor well-informed and prepared.

Treatment

The treatment for breast cancer should immediately include a discussion about reconstruction. Our foundation has no greater goal than to raise awareness of this among patients and oncological surgeons. By making an informed decision beforehand, we avoid closing off options for later reconstruction while still considering the oncological aspect. Of course, survival is paramount, and the decision of the oncologic surgeon will always take precedence.

The "Reconstruction or not?" page contains all the information you can expect during an initial consultation before undergoing tumor removal. This page is comprehensive, and your plastic surgeon will only provide information relevant to your situation.

"Removing the tumor" details the surgical procedure itself. This is the most crucial operation because effective tumor removal remains paramount. We guide you through the various methods of removal, a decision often made by a multidisciplinary team comprising oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, radiotherapists, breast nurses, gynecologists, oncological surgeons, and plastic surgeons.

The "Breast Reconstruction" section includes information and illustrations of the different reconstruction options along with corresponding steps.

Revalidation

Those treated for cancer often need a long period to recover.

Cancer is a radical illness with a heavy treatment. Often, people have to deal with psychosocial and/or physical problems afterwards, such as stress, anxiety, extreme fatigue, painful joints, reduced fitness, lymphedema... This can have a major impact on general well-being.

There are rehabilitation programmes offered by most hospitals. We cover some of the major topics here.

Quality of life

Quality of life is a key factor in coping with breast cancer. Therefore, it is important to find coping mechanisms that work, which will be different from patient to patient. For some, it may be finding enjoyment in activities they engaged in prior to diagnosis, taking time for appreciating life and expressing gratitude, volunteering, physical exercise... Of prime importance, studies have shown that accepting the disease as a part of one’s life is a key to effective coping, as well as focusing on mental strength to allow the patient to move on with life. In this section we are addressing some topics that patients experience during and after treatment and we are providing information to address them.

Bra day 2024

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Online webinar

Advanced Breast Reconstruction Addressing Challenges and Finding Solutions.

As part of BRA Day – the international day for breast reconstruction awareness – we are hosting an exclusive webinar on the latest techniques and challenges in breast reconstruction.

Led by three leading experts, Professor Phillip Blondeel, Dr. Bernard Depypere, and Dr. Liesl De Graeve, key topics will be discussed, including the choice between autologous tissue versus prostheses, the use of lipofilling, and the ideal timing for reconstruction.

This webinar is essential for both medical professionals and patients seeking to enhance their knowledge of advanced breast reconstruction. Together, we will explore evolutionary solutions to the most complex reconstructive challenges.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain valuable insights from top specialists in the field!

  • 15/10/2024

  • Online

  • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

bra-day-16

Info

Date: 15 october 2024

Timing: 19h00 - 21h00

FYI: webinar language is Dutch.

Participation

This is an online session. Those who registered will receive a link the day before the event, allowing you to log in and follow the information session.

If you did not receive the link or wish to join last minute, you will find the webinar link below on the day of the event, which you can use to log in and follow the session at that time.

Registration

Participation is free, but for organizational reasons, we kindly ask you to register at the bottom of this page.

For any questions, please email info@beautifulabc.com.

Speakers

Prof. Dr. Phillip Blondeel

Phillip Blondeel is a prominent international expert in the field of aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery and one of the pioneers of so-called 'perforator flap' surgery. He is a Professor of Plastic Surgery, Chairman of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Ghent University Hospital (Belgium), and a practicing plastic surgeon at Clinique de Montchoisi (Switzerland).

Born in the United States of America, Phillip Blondeel earned his medical degree at the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium). He completed postgraduate training in Plastic Surgery at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Catholic University of Leuven and at Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt (Germany). He obtained a PhD in Medical Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine at Ghent University in 1998.

Prof. Blondeel is a member of the 'Collegium Chirurgicum Plasticum' and serves as an ambassador for the 'European Board for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery' (EBOPRAS). He is a member of several scientific organizations, including the 'American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery', the 'European Association of Plastic Surgeons', and the 'American Society of Plastic Surgeons'. He is an honorary member of the 'South African and Canadian Society of Plastic Surgery'.

As an internationally renowned expert in the field of aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery, Prof. Blondeel is frequently invited as a speaker and trainer. He is the author and co-author of countless books, chapters, peer-reviewed articles, and abstracts. He currently serves on the editorial boards of the 'Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery' and the 'Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery'. He is an international co-editor of 'Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery'.

Dr. Liesl De Graeve

Dr. Liesl De Graeve obtained her medical degree in 2016 from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Ghent University. She then immediately began her training in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery at the Department of Plastic Surgery at Ghent University Hospital under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Phillip Blondeel. With a particular interest in reconstructive surgery and (supra)microsurgery, she decided to complete her training with a fellowship at the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona. At this renowned microsurgery center, with a special focus on breast reconstruction and lymphatic surgery, she furthered her training under Prof. Dr. Masia and Dr. Pons.

Dr. De Graeve currently works as a staff member at Ghent University Hospital, where she primarily focuses on breast surgery and the continued development of the lymphatic clinic.

Dr. De Graeve is a fellow of the Collegium Chirurgicum Plasticum (CCP) and a member of the Ghent Academy of Plastic Surgery (GAPS).

Dr. Bernard Depypere

Dr. Bernard Depypere graduated as a medical doctor from Ghent University in 2012 and immediately began his training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Ghent (Belgium) under Prof. Phillip Blondeel. During his training, he was actively involved in scientific research and presented at various national and international conferences.

Dr. Depypere specializes in breast reconstruction and tissue engineering. He performs breast reconstructions using the patient’s own tissue (microsurgical 'perforator flap'), breast implants, fat grafting (lipofilling), or a combination of these techniques. Additionally, he is committed to advancing tissue engineering and stem cell treatments from the lab to clinical practice. He has therefore embarked on a PhD focused on the use of stem cells and regenerative medicine in the hospital setting.

Dr. Depypere is a fellow of the Collegium Chirurgicum Plasticum (CCP) and a member of the Ghent Academy of Plastic Surgery (GAPS). He is the author and co-author of several peer-reviewed articles published in highly regarded scientific journals.

  • 15/10/2024

  • Online

  • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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