Breast Preservation Foundation Urges Washington Policymakers to Consider Public Health Education Programs in Health Care Reform Discussions.

LOS ANGELES -- Amidst the ongoing health-policy debate, Los Angeles surgeon Joel Aronowitz, M.D., founder of the Breast Preservation Foundation, furthered his organization's health education and quality of care mission by meeting Washington policymakers to discuss how health care reform can help breast cancer patients be informed of all their treatment choices and have access to more advanced techniques like skin-sparing mastectomy.

As the clinical chief of the Plastic Surgery Division at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Aronowitz often witnesses the emotional suffering of breast cancer patients who continue to needlessly undergo transverse mastectomy when more advanced and accepted techniques like skin-sparing mastectomy are available and would effectively treat cancer without disfigurement.

"Breast cancer patients will continue to suffer needlessly if they are not informed of all available surgical choices, including skin-sparing mastectomy, an alternative to traditional mastectomy which continues to leave patients with terribly disfiguring scars," said Dr. Aronowitz, who published a 2008 study finding that more than one-third of his home state's breast surgeons still do not utilize the skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) technique.

"Because more women are surviving breast cancer, we should recognize the validity in women wanting better cosmetic results from breast cancer surgery. Of growing concern is the fear of disfigurement that might prevent many women from undergoing mammography screenings for early detection," he added.

In President Obama's recent health care address to a joint session of Congress, he highlighted many of the shortfalls that have long affected the American public's ability to receive quality care, among them unaffordable insurance premiums and dropped coverage. Many lawmakers are also aware that a lack of public health education programs prevents patients from making informed decisions about their care and treatment, prompting some states and policymakers to consider legislation that would make funding available for such programs.

During his Washington visit, Dr. Aronowitz met with several congressional offices, including that of Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida), Representative Dean Heller (R-Nevada), Representative Henry Waxman (D-California) as well as the offices of U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-California). In March, Wasserman Schultz publicly revealed her own battle with breast cancer having undergone seven surgeries in 2008 while maintaining her duties as a member of the House. She has been active in promoting early screening through The Early Act, a bill for breast cancer education and awareness.

About Skin-Sparing Mastectomy

A skin-sparing mastectomy, also known as breast-conserving surgery, is a way to treat cancer and save the breast skin. In so doing it causes much less scarring than a traditional mastectomy. The skin-sparing procedure removes cancerous breast tissue through a small incision usually around the areola area of the nipple. The surgeon leaves most of the breast skin, creating a natural skin envelope, or pocket, that is filled with a breast implant or with the patient's own tissue from another part of her body. The skin-sparing technique significantly improves the cosmetic outcome and gives the best option for reconstruction.

About Breast Preservation Foundation

The Breast Preservation Foundation's (BPF) mission is to educate women about skin-sparing mastectomies and its advantages for an overall better cosmetic result. The BPF's goal is to inform and empower women to ask more questions before having a potentially disfiguring biopsy, lumpectomy and traditional mastectomy. The BPF advocates that women insist their breast surgeon recognize the importance of preserving the breast which can improve their quality of life after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.

For more information about skin-sparing mastectomies, breast cancer survival and the Breast Preservation Foundation, please visit www.BreastPreservation.org.