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.
From Hope to Joy !
First of all thank you for visiting the Beautiful After Breast Cancer website.
The Foundation Beautiful After Breast Cancer is a foundation of public utility registered in Belgium. Our ideas created in 2010 were first translated into a private foundation in 2011 but converted into a public benefit foundation in 2012.
The main goal of the Beautiful After Breast Cancer Foundation is to create more awareness about being and feeling well after the diagnosis of breast cancer. We therefore focus mainly, but not exclusively, on the period after the oncological treatments. We do not focus on the reconstruction of a breast, but on the reconstruction of your life! A life filled with joy and happiness where one feels beautiful and attractive is indeed possible after breast cancer.
The Foundation Beautiful After Breast Cancer is managed and directed by a large group of dynamic people consisting of half ex-patients and half physicians. This allows us to formulate a unique advice that represents both the reality of the patient and the reality of the health care provider and that therefore corresponds exactly to what is realistically going on with the patient.
The Beautiful After Breast Cancer Foundation is active in several countries around the world. All these divisions share the same vision and drive. Breast cancer affects 1 in 9 women all over the world. Everyone has the right to information.
In order to achieve our goals, we obviously need money. The Beautiful After Breast Cancer Foundation organises several fund-raising activities throughout the year to raise funds. Every donation is greatly appreciated. But there are also several other ways to help.
The Beautiful After Breast Cancer Foundation has no political or religious agenda.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.