A Woman’s Right to Know About Reconstruction

This post is not a description of the reconstruction process. Nor is it about recommending reconstruction surgery. It is about every woman facing a mastectomy having the right to know about the option of having reconstruction. It is about being told that reconstruction can be done the same day as breast cancer surgery or done at a later date.

The best source of detailed information about breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, bilateral mastectomy, or a lumpectomy is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon experienced in breast reconstruction. However, he or she is most often a referral from a member of the treatment team. It is usually your surgeon, during your initial visit, who will ask if you are familiar with reconstruction and if you would like to speak with a plastic surgeon about what is involved in having reconstruction.

Know that if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you are:

• Eligible for reconstruction following a mastectomy or lumpectomy

• Protected by state and federal laws mandating most private insurance carriers to cover reconstruction procedures following a mastectomy or lumpectomy. You need to check with your insurer for information about availability of this coverage and cost sharing requirements such as co-pays. These laws include the 1998 Federal Breast Reconstruction Law and the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act

• Reconstruction is also covered by Medicare and Medicaid

• You have the right to reconstruction information prior to any surgical procedure.

So, if it is the law that women are eligible for reconstruction and there are ways to cover the cost of reconstruction whether that be with private insurance or Medicaid and Medicare, why are 40% of the women facing breast cancer surgery not receiving reconstruction information prior to surgery? Why are their physicians not speaking to them about reconstruction? I don’t know. I can’t think of one good reason not to.

New York State enacted a law mandating that women facing breast cancer surgery be told about their reconstruction options prior to surgery. New Mexico recently passed a similar law.

Right now, in Washington State there is a bill, House Bill 1101, that would require physicians to inform women of their reconstruction rights. Opponents of the bill say what is needed is an education campaign, not legislation.

Doctor Allen Gabriel, a reconstructive surgeon and advocate for women being told of their reconstructive rights, was quoted on KGW.com. He said, “We’ve been seeing an increasing number of women that haven’t been informed of their options.”

When approached, The Washington State Medical Association said it does not like to support legislation that puts the standards of practice into state law. They said it’s best to create an education campaign.

Dr. Gabriel agrees with the education campaign and created a website to make women aware of their reconstruction rights. You can visit this new site at  myReconstructionRights.org .