Dr. Glen Brooks Supports Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day Oct. 19

LONGMEADOW — Aesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, P.C., a community-centered cosmetic-surgery and non-invasive practice serving Western Mass. and Northern Conn., announced its support of Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day with several product specials and raffles. Proceeds from sales will be donated to Rays of Hope.

Founded in 1994, Rays of Hope has raised more than $13 million for breast-cancer research, all of which has been awarded locally throughout Western Mass. in partnership with the Baystate Health Breast Network and the Baystate Health Foundation.

BRA Day was launched in 2011 by Dr. Mitchell Brown, a plastic surgeon with a practice in Toronto. It has quickly grown to include numerous events throughout Canada and more than 30 countries participating worldwide. More specifically, BRA Day is an initiative designed to promote education, awareness, and access for women who may wish to consider post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. This year’s BRA Day will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19.

“Given that October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, now is the time to educate women who have undergone a mastectomy about the resources and options that are available to them,” said board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Glen Brooks. “The goals of BRA Day include providing post-mastectomy breast reconstruction information as early as possible after diagnosis, and giving patients access to plastic surgeons and other medical providers who work in collaboration to treat them. By participating in BRA Day and donating the proceeds to Rays of Hope, we can make a difference both locally and nationally, positively impacting the life of every breast-cancer patient.”

According to data from the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women after skin cancer, representing nearly one in three cases. Furthermore, seven out of 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer who are candidates for breast reconstruction are not aware of their options. As a result, fewer than one in five American women who undergo a mastectomy go on to have breast reconstruction.

“Many women are able to get an immediate breast reconstruction performed at the same time as the mastectomy, but that option depends on what treatment is necessary after surgery,” Brooks said. “Patients with breast cancer have numerous options to help them restore a breast to near-normal shape, appearance, and size following mastectomy or lumpectomy.”