Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in New York State. According to the New York State Department of Health, over 16,400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
A mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both (double mastectomy) breasts and is typically performed to treat breast cancer or in some cases, decrease the risk of breast cancer. More than 100,000 US women undergo some form of mastectomy each year. After breast tissue has been removed, additional work is often required to smooth out and trim any excess skin to restore an optimal chest contour with a clean symmetric incision closure. While most breast cancer patients who forgo traditional breast reconstruction expect aesthetic flat reconstruction to be included with mastectomy costs, the operation is not currently covered under most insurance policies.
The emotional and financial impact of breast cancer and subsequent mastectomies can be devastating, particularly if patients lack access to reconstruction surgery options available in today’s healthcare market.
The New York Chapter issues its support for enactment of S.7881/A.8537