This Breastcancer.org podcast focuses on breast reconstruction and features Frank DellaCroce, M.D., F.A.C.S., cofounder of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and the St. Charles Surgical Hospital. Dr. DellaCroce is board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and his pioneering work in microsurgery has made the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery an international leader in the art and science of breast reconstruction. He has performed thousands of breast reconstructions on women from around the world. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. DellaCroce discuss:

the advances in reconstruction that have happened in the past decade

what microsurgery is and why it’s so specialized

the most popular breast reconstruction options

how he assesses a breast reconstruction that a woman is unhappy with

Running time: 34:52These podcasts, along with all the other vital content and community

support at Breastcancer.org, only exist because of the generous

donations of listeners like you. Please visit Breastcancer.org/support to learn how you can help keep our services free for you and the millions of women who depend on us.

Mandi Seifert was 3 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. When it became

available, genetic testing for a mutation that raises the risk of breast cancer was strongly recommended

for Mandi’s mom -- in 2010 her mother tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation. Mandi knew that meant

she had a 50-50 chance of having the same mutation. In 2013, she decided to have genetic testing and

learned that she, too, had a BRCA2 mutation. She decided to have a double prophylactic mastectomy

and reconstruction using tissue from her tummy area. Mandi is one of three women whose stories are

featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on genetic testing, prophylactic surgery, and

reconstruction. Mandi’s older sister, Kerry, also tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation and is also in the

video series.

Listen to the podcast to hear Mandi discuss:

how talking about her surgery with her sister was both emotional and freeing

how it felt to see her reconstructive surgeon again after she was completely healed

how her sister’s experience helped guide her

why family support is so important

Running time: 9:02

Lorell Hornbrook has a strong family history of breast cancer: Both her older sister and her father were diagnosed with breast cancer. Her father died at age 75 from treatment complications, a year after he was diagnosed. In 2014, at age 48, Lorell decided to have genetic testing to see if she had a gene mutation that dramatically increased her risk for breast cancer. When her test results came back positive for a BRCA2 mutation, Lorell had already decided what she would do: a double prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction using tissue from her tummy area. Lorell is one of three women whose stories are featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on genetic testing, prophylactic surgery, and reconstruction.

Listen to the podcast to hear Lorell talk about:

why she never hesitated about participating in the videos

the type of research she did after she got her genetic test results

how she prepared herself for surgery

the advice she would give to women in a similar situation

Running time: 11:04

Kerry Osmond was 10 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. When it became

available, genetic testing for a mutation that raises the risk of breast cancer was strongly recommended

for Kerry’s mom -- in 2010 her mother tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation. Kerry knew that meant she

had a 50-50 chance of having the same mutation. In 2012, she decided to have genetic testing and

learned that she, too, had a BRCA2 mutation. She decided to have a double prophylactic mastectomy

and reconstruction using tissue from her hip area. Kerry is one of three women whose stories are

featured in the Breastcancer.org video series on genetic testing, prophylactic surgery, and

reconstruction. Kerry’s younger sister, Mandi, also tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation and is also in

the video series.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kerry talk about:

how her family uses their experience to help others

how she connected with women who had similar surgeries on the Breastcancer.org discussion

boards

how sharing her story in the video was healing in a way

why talking to other women who had already had prophylactic surgery was encouraging

Running time: 13:56

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Marisa Weiss, M.D., Breastcancer.org’s chief medical officer, discusses a study examining survival rates after lumpectomy plus radiation or mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer. The study was presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Dec. 8-12. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Weiss explain:

why lumpectomy plus radiation and mastectomy are both good choices for early-stage breast cancer surgery

why one type of surgery might be recommended over the other

why the researchers think there might have been a difference in survival rates

Running time: 11:27

In this Breastcancer.org podcast, Brian Wojciechowski, M.D., Breastcancer.org medical adviser, discusses some of the research that was published in August and September 2014. Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Wojciechowski explain:

results of a study that found an abnormal PALB2 gene increases breast cancer risk more than previously thought

why bisphosphonates don’t reduce risk in women who’ve never been diagnosed with breast cancer

the risk-reducing benefits of exercise for postmenopausal women

the risks and benefits of double mastectomy versus lumpectomy plus radiation for women at average risk diagnosed with breast cancer in just one breast

Running time: 19:34

Dr. Alan Stolier is a surgeon at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans. He has more than 35 years of experience in surgical oncology. He specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and is a pioneer in the development of nipple-sparing mastectomy. Dr. Stolier also focuses on breast cancer genetics and the associated care of women who have a BRCA gene mutation.Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Stolier talk about:

how much each type of prophylactic surgery (breast, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus) can reduce risk

who is most likely to benefit from prophylactic surgery

women who shouldn’t consider prophylactic surgery

whether there is an optimal age for prophylactic surgery

Running time: 27:01Listen to part 2 of the series.

Cristina Nixon is a licensed certified genetic counselor with the Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetics Program at Main Line Health in Pennsylvania. In addition to counseling patients, she also assists with research, including most recently a study looking at multi-gene panels in BRCA1/BRCA2-positive families. Cristina also has completed the City of Hope’s intensive course in cancer risk assessment.This is part two of three-part podcast on genetics and breast cancer with Cristina. Listen to this podcast to hear her explain:

the factors that would recommend genetic testing for a particular woman

whether DCIS is considered differently than invasive cancer when recommending genetic testing

the process of genetic testing

when genetic testing wouldn’t be recommended for a woman diagnosed with breast cancer

Running time: 23:44Listen to part 1 of the series.Listen to part 3 of the series.

Dr. Alan Stolier is a surgeon at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans. He has more than 35 years of experience in surgical oncology. He specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and is a pioneer in the development of nipple-sparing mastectomy. Dr. Stolier also focuses on breast cancer genetics and the associated care of women who have a BRCA gene mutation.Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Stolier talk about:

the timing of prophylactic surgery

other genetic mutations besides BRCA1 or BRCA2 that might make a woman consider prophylactic surgery

the type of screening program recommended for a woman who’s had prophylactic surgery

how often cancer is found during prophylactic surgery

Running time: 24:13Listen to part 1 of the series.

Dr. Alan Stolier is a surgeon at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans. He has more than 35 years of experience in surgical oncology. He specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and is a pioneer in the development of nipple-sparing mastectomy. Dr. Stolier also focuses on breast cancer genetics and the associated care of women who have a BRCA gene mutation.Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Stolier talk about:

the timing of prophylactic surgery

other genetic mutations besides BRCA1 or BRCA2 that might make a woman consider prophylactic surgery

the type of screening program recommended for a woman who’s had prophylactic surgery

how often cancer is found during prophylactic surgery

Running time: 24:13Listen to part 1 of the series.