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.
Stephen Kroll Fellowship 2023
05 March 2024 in NewsOne of the primary objectives of our Foundation is to contribute to the field of breast cancer research and surgery. A standout initiative is our annual financial support for the Stephen Kroll Fellowship, which offers exceptional opportunities for foreign surgeons to specialize further in microsurgery and breast reconstruction at the Department of Plastic Surgery at Ghent University Hospital. Thanks to our support, Mohamed Abdelrahman, a plastic surgeon from Sudan, was able to significantly enhance his expertise as a fellow under the mentorship of Professor Phillip Blondeel. You can read about his remarkable journey below.
Transforming a caged bird into a soaring eagle: Breast Reconstruction Fellowship at UZ Gent- Belgium
Mohamed Abdelrahman; MD
Stephen Kroll Fellow 01/10/2023 to 31/12/2023
"I am a plastic surgeon who has spent most of his training in an underdeveloped health setting in my home country, Sudan, a nation that has endured the longest internal conflict and civil war in Africa. I have pursued a challenging and exhaustive path to acquire training and skills. I have been granted the opportunity to be accepted into the prestigious Stephen Kroll Breast Reconstructive Fellowship at the Department of Plastic Surgery at UZ Ghent, from October to December 2023.
Fellowships are postgraduate training programs that serve to bridge training gaps and encourage the acquisition of new skills. The Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Ghent is renowned as the Mecca of Autologous Breast Reconstruction and serves as the final destination for the training journey of many breast reconstruction microsurgeons from around the world.
The training model primarily follows an apprenticeship approach, where fellows shadow different consultants, attendants, and supervisors, learning case by case. There are ample opportunities to discuss complex cases, stay abreast of up-to-date evidence, and explore various management options. Regular departmental meetings are held to discuss all cases. I have assisted in numerous operative theatre cases, including primary and secondary breast reconstructions, as well as aesthetic breast cases.
Everyone is willing to generously share knowledge and skills, which is ingrained in the department's legacy and passion. In addition to breast reconstruction, the department offers active and prominent services in transgender surgery, head and neck/maxillofacial surgery, and a well-equipped burns unit, ensuring there is hardly a dull moment.
Fellows are welcomed to attend outpatient clinics, and the staff is always willing to facilitate and explain different management and follow-up plans. A unique aspect of this fellowship is its international flavor, bringing together fellows and visitors from around the globe, creating a rich platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences, fostering future collaborations, and building collegial friendships.
Professor Blondeel and his team have been excellent educators, helping me gain extensive knowledge and skills in a short period. I aspire to take this knowledge back home to benefit my people and country. I believe I have formed lifelong friendships with the department, providing a reliable source of support and guidance for challenging cases.
Ghent is a magnificent city with much to see and enjoy. I have felt its warmth after long days of hard work in the hospital, spending exciting weekends with friends and colleagues, enjoying the generosity of this special city. I would love to visit Ghent again and again.
I express my gratitude to Professor Blondeel and his team for making me feel like part of the team, and to the Beautiful After Breast Cancer Foundation for their generosity and support in sponsoring my training fellowship."
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