Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day Names Jewel Spokesperson.
BRA Day to raise awareness of breast reconstruction surgery across the globe.
The American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and the Plastic Surgery Foundation have announced that their national spokesperson for Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day is none other than Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jewel.
BRA day is a new international initiative launched this year, to be celebrated on October 17, 2012. The U.S. and 20 other countries will band together in order to raise awareness for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy.
Across the globe, women stand tall in the face of breast cancer and survive after undergoing a mastectomy. But according to research, 70 per cent of women eligible for breast reconstruction aren’t aware of their options. The hope is that BRA will raise awareness of the surgical options available to breast cancer patients that can give them back what they’ve lost.
Jewel, who is also a New York Times bestselling poet, a philanthropist, and a breast cancer advocate, will become the face of BRA Day nationwide as she promotes the event through public service announcements and media appearances. She has also written a song about breast reconstruction patients to be performed at a charity concert on October 29 in New Orleans. Proceeds will go to the PSF to support breast reconstruction organizations.
Breast reconstruction numbered 96,000 procedures in 2011, a three per cent increase from 2010, and a 22 per cent increase from 2000. Breast reconstruction surgery can give a patient back their silhouette, but it will never be the same as the breast they lost. Scarring will usually occur, and the new breast won’t have the same sensation as the original. Breast reconstruction can begin at the same time as a mastectomy, or it can be delayed until you’ve healed from the surgery or additional cancer treatments.
For more information as its released, keep an eye on the ASPS Facebook page for National BRA Day updates.
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