Breast cancer management has now progressed beyond the simple mastectomy and axillary clearance. In the past few years there have been a few changes to screening recommendations, sentinel lymph nodes biopsies and neoadjuvant chemotherapy - further emphasising the multi-disciplinary management of breast cancer care.

 

Treatment options can be tailored to suit the individual's needs. Breast conserving surgery can be carried out without compromising on survival. Patients who undergo mastectomies now have various options of total breast reconstruction. Patients who choose to have only part of their breasts removed can also undergo reconstruction. Reconstruction of this partial defect can be immediate or delayed. They may also choose to have surgery on the contra-lateral breast to improve symmetry of both. Over the past one year, NUH has also offered a new technique to allow sensory innervation of the previously insensate reconstructed breast flap.

 

We believe that a comprehensive approach to breast cancer management will improve the quality of life for these patients while maintaining a good survival rate.