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The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction Site

October 11, 2011 by

Good afternoon everyone and thank you for visiting The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction’s blog. Currently, our main website is down due to technical issues. However, we do expect the site to be up within the next day or so. If you have any questions or would like to contact The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, please feel free to call out office at 1.866.374.2627 or email Gail at glanter@ecplasticsurgery.com.

Also, please note that some of the links in our blog posts may not be working today as the main website is down and many of our links direct blog readers to our website.

Thank you for your patience and we do apologize for the inconvenience!

–The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction Team

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Time for the 2011 Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure®

October 10, 2011 by

Logo to the left taken from the Komen.org website.

The largest sequence of 5K run / walks in the world, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series benefits education, research, and treatment programs for breast cancer. Three-fourths of the money raised by the Lowcountry Affiliate is invested into local projects, while the remainder supports the national research programs.

The 2011 Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure® takes place Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Daniels Island, SC. You have the option to run or walk, by yourself or as part of a team, or you can Sleep in for the Cure. Registration fees are $25 for individuals, $20 for team members, and $35 for sleepers.

The registration fee includes the official Komen Race for the Cure® t-shirt and bib. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, let the organizers know, and you’ll receive a pink survivors t-shirt, hat, and bib. Please consider participating in Zeta Tau Alpha’s Race Day Survivor Recognition Program at 8 a.m. on Race day.

Team registration is due by Friday, September 23, and team bib and shirt pickup takes place Thursday, October 6 and Friday, October 7. Online registration ends Wednesday, October 12, and in-person registration ends Race morning. Individuals may pick up shirts and bibs Friday, October 14 or Race day.

Each Race participant receives his or her own fundraising website, which can be shared by encouraging others to visit the site and donate. If each Racer raised $100 over the registration fee, the Komen Lowcountry Affiliate would raise over a million dollars.

Race day schedule is as follows:

7 a.m. Survivor Tent, Sponsor Village, and Expo open.

8 a.m. Survivor Celebration begins.

8:30 a.m. Fun Run / Walk begins.

9:15 a.m. Timed 5K Run begins.

9:20 a.m. Untimed 5K Run / Walk begins.

10 a.m. Awards Ceremony begins.

Awards are given for the following finishers in the timed race:

  • Top 3 overall male and top 3 overall female
  • Top 3 in each division
  • Top 3 overall breast cancer survivor finishers
  • Top survivor age 40–59
  • Top survivor age 60+

Volunteers are always needed, and their help is appreciated. For more information on the Race, to register, or to find out how you can help, click here.

Filed Under: Upcoming Events Tagged With: , , , , , ,

“Get Your Squeeze On!” How One Woman Is Spreading Awareness about Mammograms

October 5, 2011 by

When we heard that our former patient, Lee McCracken was launching her own line of tees to help raise money and spread the word for breast cancer awareness, we were thrilled!

We interviewed Lee on her new endeavor with her fabulous “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees and also discovered a little bit about her journey through breast cancer and life after cancer.

Read this inspirational interview below (NOTE: all images in this post were provided by and are owned by Lee McCracken):

1. You started the “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees. Tell us a little about this unique tee and what inspired you to create it? Where do funds go for those who purchase the tee?

I admit it—I NEVER liked getting a mammogram. But then I discovered I disliked breast cancer even more! I’m a two-year survivor and a former patient of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction. This year, my girlfriends and I decided to be a little more organized for the Komen Race for the Cure in our home city of Charlotte, NC. We needed a name and a T-shirt.

So, I began brainstorming.

I tried to think of a fun phrase that was upbeat and also inspirational. “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” popped into my head one day in May. Of course, the apostrophe in ma’am is the pink ribbon! My girlfriends encouraged me to merchandise the tee on a local, regional—and, dare I say, national—level.

The face of the under-insured and uninsured woman has changed. Given this economic climate, many women, naturally, are putting their children first before seeing to their own healthcare needs. I want to help fund mammograms for women who don’t have health insurance. Locally, 15% (or $3 of every $20 tee sold) is going to the Carolinas Breast Cancer Fund to help women who are qualified by the Mecklenburg County Health Department.

Individuals, groups, and retail outlets who sell the tee in other cities may designate a charity in their community to receive the funds. Anyone interested should connect with me via e-mail: sales@yesmaamtee.com.

yes maam tees

2. What do you hope to accomplish through selling the “Yes, Ma’am!” tee? In other words, what is your vision for the future of the tee and its effect on women?

Wouldn’t it be fun if women all over started wearing their “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees to the coffee house, grocery store, and gym? It makes a sassy statement in Southern style, and people take notice. I’ve seen women look at my tee and then kind of shake their head, almost to say, “Oh yeah, I need to schedule that.”

The Facebook page is generating interest from all over the country. The tee has fans from California to Oklahoma and Florida to Vermont.

A cancer nurse once told me that when breast cancer is caught in Stages 0-1, treatment can be so much easier and survival rates soar. Let’s strive for 100% early detection!

3. What inspired you to start your own freelance writing / editing business, Joyfullee Written, at the age of 49 and what do you provide others with through this business?

I’ve been writing and editing for more than 25 years, sometimes as a freelancer and other times on staff with a local lifestyle or parenting magazine. The formal launch this summer of Joyfullee Written was my birthday gift to myself. I will turn 50 in October and, not only have I survived breast cancer, but I have also survived several other heartbreaking losses. I’m also working on a book—an inspirational memoir about self-discovery and spiritual preservation through motherhood and menopause. Joyfullee Written comes from the fact that all my inspiration and strength spills from the fountain of God’s grace.

Joyfullee Written provides professional writing / editing services to magazines and businesses. I enjoy meeting people and helping them reach their audience through a well-crafted, targeted message. And, with a passion for lifelong learning, this is helping me to keep discovering new things every day.

4. What is the one thing you want all women to know about breast cancer?

The earlier it’s detected the more treatment options women have! I HATE when I hear someone say “I’m a year overdue for my mammogram.” My Stage 1 breast cancer was caught by a mammogram, and I was fortunate not to have to endure chemo or radiation. I know everyone is busy and mammos sometimes are uncomfortable, but it’s crazy to take such a risk.

All my family members and friends know: Get Your Squeeze On!

lee mccrackenAbout Lee McCracken:

Lee McCracken lives with her husband, Stuart, of 28 years in Denver, N.C., a suburb of Charlotte. She has a 19-year-old daughter, Megan, and a 10-year-old Bichon Frise, Benny. She enjoys gardening, photography, reading and traveling. Lee’s girlfriends keep her sane!

Love the Yes, Ma,am! mammograms are a must tees? Buy one today and help spread awareness for mammograms!

Filed Under: In Her Words Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Can Green Tea Really Help Fight Cancer and Help Your Heart?

October 3, 2011 by

green teaFor years, green tea was believed to help keep your heart healthy and fight cancer, among other health benefits, and we’re learning more about it every year.

Catechins are the antioxidants in green tea, and they act as scavengers in your system, gobbling up free radicals that can contribute to disease. These antioxidants are abundant in green tea because it doesn’t go through the processing that other teas do. One particular catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, was found to shrink tumors in mice in one Canadian study. Other lab studies have shown it stops cancer growth, but human trials have not proven it yet.

According to Marji McCullough of the American Cancer Society, the challenge of green tea human studies is finding populations that drink enough green tea for an adequate length of time. A few human studies have shown green tea to be effective, but most were conducted in Asia and the East, where green tea is widely used. Also, the typical Asian diet is higher in fish and soy than the standard American diet, which may influence results.

One study in Japan showed that women with Stage I and Stage II breast cancer had a lower recurrence if they drank more green tea before and after surgery. A second study in China showed that increased green tea consumption led to lower risk of several cancers including colorectal, stomach, prostate, and pancreatic. An analysis of 22 studies found that green tea could reduce risk of lung cancer.

In the case of heart disease, Japanese researchers found that four cups of green tea a day might have contributed to a reduced severity of heart disease among men in one study. A Dutch study of over 3,000 women and men found that those who drank more tea had less severe blood vessel clogging, perhaps because green tea’s antioxidants improve the flexibility of blood vessels. In addition, green tea has been found to help obesity and reduce LDL cholesterol levels, which also improve heart health.

Although the studies aren’t yet there to prove green tea’s benefits, researchers believe that the antioxidant load from green tea is beneficial. For more on green tea, click here.

What are your thoughts on the benefits of green tea?

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Handling Breast Implant Infections: What You Need to Know

September 30, 2011 by

Dr. James CraigieThe below question is answered by Charleston breast surgeon Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

What is the usual process for handling infections with breast reconstruction when tissue expanders are used?

Infections can occur following any type of surgery. The risk of getting an infection after breast reconstruction is low because the immune system can help defend the body from bacteria if they have invaded and are trying to multiply. Antibiotics can also be used, specifically to fight different types of bacteria, following certain surgical procedures. These antibiotics are sometimes given preventively.

When an infection does occur it is because the defense mechanisms have been compromised and the invading bacteria grow. Specifically with implants the bacteria may enter through a wound healing problem. They attach to the implant shell and hide from the bloodstream that normally delivers the body’s immune response, as well as antibiotics.

The management of this type of infection is difficult and almost always requires removing the implant. When the infection resolves and the area is healthy, then it is possible to restart the process. Usually it is 3 to 6 months before it is safe to try another implant. It is occasionally possible to save the implant when the infection has been caught early and treated with antibiotics and surgery to wash the implant pocket and to put a new one in. This approach usually involves antibiotics for a long time and uncertainty about recurrence of the infection weeks or months later when the powerful antibiotics have been discontinued.

It is important to realize that the antibiotics may resolve the outward signs of infection at first, but it only takes the surviving bacteria hiding on the implant to restart the infection when the antibiotics have been discontinued. With each new infection the bacteria may become more difficult to control because of resistance to the antibiotics. At this point, it is usually my advice to consider a new option for breast reconstruction that does not involve an implant. Usually the skin and fat can be transferred from the tummy, buttock or thighs. This can be done without sacrificing any of the important muscles. In my practice, 30 % of my patients have had problems with implants and we can successfully replace implant problems with healthy tissue and obtain a permanent natural result.

—Dr. James Craigie

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , ,

Lowcountry Pink for the Cure Event Starts Soon

September 28, 2011 by

pink for the cureThe Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure® is sponsoring the Lowcountry Pink for the Cure Window Display Competition 2011 to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The group challenges local business to get creative and decorate their storefronts with the Race for the Cure’s® signature color pink.

Windows will be judged on their use of the color pink, their creativity, and their breast cancer awareness. Winners will be announced on ABC News 4 Lowcountry Live and the radio, and the grand prize-winning business will receive a live radio broadcast from their location.

Registration has begun, and all signups are due by Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 5 p.m. Windows must be decorated by Friday, September 30, 2011, and remain decorated through the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure® on October 15, 2011. Photos of the decorations are due Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and judges will be visiting participating businesses in person. Winners will be announced on Friday, October 14, 2011, and the radio broadcast from the grand prize winner’s location will take place.

Participants may decorate their windows any way they choose, but they must display the Race for the Cure® poster.

Local sponsors for the event include:

  • Roper St. Francis Cancer Care
  • Roper Radiologists
  • TBonz Restaurant Group
  • TBonz Gill & Grill
  • Liberty
  • Pearlz
  • Flying Fish
  • Liberty Tap Room & Grill
  • Kaminsky’s Baking Co.
  • Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse
  • Bi-Lo Charities
  • Sherwin Williams

For more information about the event, visit http://www.komenlowcountry.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/lpftc-competition/.

Is your business going to participate?

Filed Under: Upcoming Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

5 Tips for Improving Skin’s Appearance and Health

September 26, 2011 by

skincare tipsHealthy, beautiful skin is within reach of anyone, no matter the age. A few simple tips will help your skin heal itself and glow.

Reduce sun exposure.

While a certain amount of sun exposure is a vital source of vitamin D, spending too much time in the sun can prematurely age your skin. Don’t be afraid to spend 10–15 minutes in the sun without sunblock a couple of times a week. The more skin you can expose, the less time you need to spend in the sun. Be sure to use sunscreen, cover-ups, and hats if you’re out longer.

Increase antioxidants.

While antioxidants are added to some skin products, you also want to get them from your diet. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits of all colors gives you a full range of antioxidants, which strengthen collagen and restore elasticity to skin. Other sources of dietary antioxidants include green tea, wine, coffee, dark chocolate, and grapeseed oil.

Eat more essential fatty acids.

If you’re getting the good fats you need every day, your skin will glow and your hair will shine. The best way to get these fatty acids is to eat real food, such as avocados, fish, and nuts. Some women keep their skin supple and moist by applying coconut oil or olive oil directly to the skin. Beware: a little bit goes a long way!

Read labels and reduce the number of products you use.

Beauty products are full of chemicals, petroleum, and preservatives. Many women are switching to gentler, more natural beauty products, such as goats’ milk soap. Read your labels, and consider switching to products with fewer ingredients.

Many of us are using the same products we used when we were young adults, and we may not need them anymore. For example, toner formulated for younger skin can be drying, while cleansers may be harsh. Don’t kill your skin—cleanse it gently and rethink the products you use, including all of your makeup. Do you really need them? Could you use a moisturizing cleanser and skip a separate moisturizer?

Try mineral makeup.

In addition to using the same skin care products we used 20+ years ago, we also tend to use the same type of makeup we did as youngsters. Mineral makeup covers as well as any other foundation—even if you have acne or rosacea—and it’s better for your skin because it’s not made from petroleum and doesn’t clog your pores. Mineral makeup has fewer chemicals, is easy to use, and makes your skin glow. It’s you, just better.

When buying mineral makeup, beware of the ingredient bismuth oxychloride, as it can cause irritation or itching.

What do you do to keep your skin healthy and beautiful?

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Mastectomy and Uneven Breast Size: What Are Your Options?

September 23, 2011 by

The question below is answered by Charleston breast surgeon Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr., of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

Because of failed implant / expander surgery (3rd degree burn damage) from radiation, I underwent a second reconstruction procedure with DIEP flaps earlier this year and a revision three months later. I have not yet had my nipples created. There is still about a cup size difference in my breasts as well as a hollow part of the cancerous breast at the top. Is this still able to be fixed as part of reconstruction procedure or do I have to live with this? Currently, I wear a prosthetic to try and even them out but it doesn’t take care of the hollow area.

Sorry to hear about your problem. If I understand you correctly, you had a mastectomy for cancer on one side and a prophylactic mastectomy on the other side, then had radiation to the cancerous side, followed by bilateral DIEP flaps.

A size mismatch in that scenario is fairly common, even when the initial flaps weigh the same, for a number of potential reasons. The cancer surgeons are sometimes more aggressive with their mastectomies on the cancerous side, and the radiation sometimes seems to cause loss of additional tissue volume. Additionally, localized fat necrosis can occur within one or both of the flaps, which would decrease their size.

As you might expect, there is no perfect one-size-fits-all solution for this. The easiest solution might be to lift the flap on the cancer side to fill the hollow part, and then reduce the other side to match.  Autologous fat injections to the areas of tissue deficiency are sometimes surprisingly effective and long-lasting, even in the face of radiation, but there is no way to tell if the fat will survive without just going ahead and trying it.

We have significant experience using the excess skin and fat, which many people have beneath their armpit to augment the upper / outer areas of the breast mound, using this tissue as a flap based on the 5th intercostal artery. This technique often carries the added benefit of lifting and rounding the breast mound. While we are not fans of using implants in the face of radiation, the presence of a healthy flap sometimes means a small implant to make up the size difference will be better tolerated. As a last resort, another perforator flap from another donor site could be added to the first flap, but we have rarely found this to be necessary.

I would advise you against having your nipple reconstructions until you are satisfied with the state of the breast mounds, because significant later work on the breast mounds may change the nipple position or orientation.

-Richard M. Kline, Jr. M.D.

Would you like your breast reconstruction question answered? Just ask us!

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Celebrating National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week

September 21, 2011 by
Image to the left taken from the FacingOurRisk.org website.

In the United States, at least one million people carry genes, such as the BRCA or breast cancer gene, that put them at risk for cancer. In 2010, a Congressional resolution created National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week.

From September 25–October 2, 2011, HBOC Week raises awareness of hereditary cancer and recognizes those affected, including those with a family history of cancer, ovarian and breast cancer survivors, and previvors, those with a high risk of cancer who have not yet developed it.

Previvor Day is Wednesday, September 28, 2011, and a free teleconference with inspirational speaker and previvor Merit Gest will be held at noon EST. This event will focus on empowering previvors to understand the complex choices they face and make decisions about their health. To register, visit http://meritgest.com/national-previvor-day-september-28-2011.html.

HBOC Week falls in the week transitioning from Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During HBOC Week, Passing the Torch Ceremonies across the country pass a ceremonial flame from an ovarian cancer survivor to a breast cancer survivor to commemorate the transition.

The group FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) is a community dedicated to fighting hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and it has chapters throughout the U.S. Events during HBOC Week are scheduled by local FORCE groups and can be found at http://www.facingourrisk.org/events/HBOCWeekEvents.php. This year, chapters will be sponsoring walk / runs, film screenings, conferences, discussions, and charity events.

FORCE’s website offers the latest information and research on HBOC, and features webinars, books, and movies, as well as support to hereditary cancer victims and their families. FORCE holds an annual conference and HBOC forum during the summer, and focuses on cancer advocacy, education, and peer support. Visitors to the site will find inspiring artwork and blogs, a tribute wall, and the latest news about HBOC.

For more information, or to find out how you can help, visit http://www.facingourrisk.org.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness, Upcoming Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

How to Keep Your Tresses Healthy and Radiant

September 19, 2011 by

healthy hair tipsHaving a healthy head of hair is easier than you might think. It all starts with your diet and ends with what you put on your hair. Following are a few tips to create the healthy hair you’ve always wanted.

Your hair is what you eat.

One of the easiest ways for doctors to see if their patients eat a healthy diet is to look at their hair. What you eat dictates how healthy your hair is from the inside out.

When it comes to nourishing your hair, get your nutrients from food, and use supplements such as multivitamins only as an insurance policy. Other concoctions that promise thicker, fuller hair don’t give your body anything you can’t give yourself through good food choices.

Eat a balanced diet of the following foods to nourish your hair:

  • Salmon, flaxseed, nuts, and seeds for omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Meat, dairy, and poultry for high-quality protein.
  • Fruits and vegetables, especially dark green and carrots, for vitamins A and C.
  • Nuts, seeds, eggs, and beans for trace minerals such as biotin and zinc.

If you eat a poor diet, your hair will suffer because it’s not getting the nutrients it needs.

Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner.

As it cleanses, shampoo strips the natural oils that make your hair shiny and healthy, so you put conditioner on it to bring back the shine and promote softness. Many shampoos have harsh detergents called sulfates, and two of the most common are sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). These ingredients create the suds we’re used to, but they also cause  your hair to lose moisture and can fade color.

Sulfate-free hair cleansing can take many forms: sulfate-free shampoos, cleansing conditioners, and natural hair soaps. Any of these choices are much gentler to your hair, and you’ll be amazed at how much softer and healthier your hair looks and feels.

Try hair treatments.

Especially if you blow dry, curl, or straighten your hair, regular hair treatments can dramatically improve the look and feel of your hair. Your hairdresser can recommend treatments, and stores carry a large variety, ranging from hot oil vials to deep conditioning packs.

You don’t need to wash every day.

Women who switch from washing their hair every day to every other day report that their hair is stronger, silkier, and healthier than those who wash every day. It’s simply not necessary for most women to wash their hair daily. Often, women who believed their hair was oily find that after a short adjustment period, they are able to wash less frequently, and some use dry shampoo in between washings.

What do you do to keep your hair healthy?

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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