Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in the UK, affecting one in nine women at some point in their life. The first patient-led DVD for women with breast cancer who are considering breast reconstruction will be launched today. It is hoped the DVD will change the way information is provided for women facing difficult surgical choices.
The DVD You are not alone has been produced as a collaboration between the Bristol Breast Unit, led by Mr Zen Rayter, Consultant Breast Surgeon and the Breast Reconstruction Quality of Life Group led by Dr Zoe Winters, Consultant Senior Lecturer in Breast Surgery in the University of Bristol's Department of Clinical Sciences at South Bristol and the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.
The researchers interviewed 22 women who had undergone the most common types of immediate and delayed reconstruction and asked them about their experiences, their feelings and the advice they would give to other women who may be thinking about reconstruction.
The results are both enlightening and deeply moving and have been used to create a DVD that the researchers hope will support women not only in making decisions regarding breast reconstruction, but also during their recovery and additional therapy.
Shelley Potter, Clinical Research Fellow at Bristol University and one of the producers of the DVD, said: "This is the first time that patient for patient information provision has been used in a clinical setting in this way and we are incredibly excited at what we believe to be a genuine advance in patient care and information provision."
Following breast surgery, or even breast removal, reconstructive surgery is possible to restore the appearance of the breast. This can even be carried out at the same time as mastectomy.
Techniques have improved in recent years, and surgeons are able to more closely mimic the appearance of the other breast, giving a normal appearance in clothes.
Many forms of breast reconstruction are available, but reconstruction using skin and muscle from the back with or without a silicone implant is the one that women are most likely to be offered in the UK. This is the method of reconstruction discussed in the DVD, but other DVDs covering other forms of reconstruction will be produced if this project is successful.
Shelley Potter added: "We feel the DVD will be of great benefit to women with breast cancer considering reconstruction and that this novel means of information provision, by patients for patients, will improve informed consent and help women make more informed decisions.
"No matter how good healthcare professionals are at giving information, they have generally not experienced a diagnosis of cancer or the decisions that patients are facing - the women in the DVD have. They have been there, seen it, done it and can give meaningful advice from experience. The can also give an overwhelming message of hope."