Pioneers in Flat Advocacy – A blog series designed to highlight and amplify the voices of the flat advocates whose work built (and continues to build) the foundation for the work that other advocates are doing now.
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Clear Language: “Flat Closure”
What does the term “flat closure” mean? Flat closure = chest wall reconstruction post-mastectomy Flat closure is shorthand for surgery to reconstruct the chest wall contour post-mastectomy. It is a patient-friendly term that serves as a stand-in for the more cumbersome technical description. The mastectomy first removes the glandular tissue of the breast, and theContinue reading “Clear Language: “Flat Closure””
Flat Denial: Who is Most at Risk?
We’re All at Risk, Right? Our research, presented last year at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, has identified several probable factors that patients going flat should be aware of. While all patients going flat face some risk – roughly 2-3 in 20 end up with an egregiously poor cosmetic result and one of thoseContinue reading “Flat Denial: Who is Most at Risk?”
Kim’s Revision Surgery After Intentional Flat Denial
I finally decided to get revision surgery, after almost three years living with “a little extra in case you change your mind.” I shouldn’t be here, being prepped for revision surgery. I had a plastic surgeon at my mastectomy two years ago solely to do a flat closure. I had pictures, a witness, “smooth flatContinue reading “Kim’s Revision Surgery After Intentional Flat Denial”
NPOAS’ Table at the 2019 AHN SABCS Review
A Great Opportunity for Provider Outreach Thanks to Allegheny Health Network and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium for putting together the 2019 AHN SABCS Review, and for providing for participation from local nonprofits. Kim was there representing NPOAS and spoke to quite a few medical professionals about flat closure, flat denial, our research and our initiatives. We got someContinue reading “NPOAS’ Table at the 2019 AHN SABCS Review”