Halton Healthcare’s Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day to feature ‘real-life results’

By: Fernando Arce, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

In order to help breast cancer survivors who are considering whether reconstruction is right for them, Halton Healthcare is hosting its annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) day on Oct. 9.

The free event, which will be held at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) from 5 to 8 pm, helps mark October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It includes presentations from Halton Healthcare’s breast reconstruction experts and an opportunity to meet them.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to visit a Show and Tell Lounge where they’ll be able to “see real-life results” by hearing directly from patients who have been through it and completed breast reconstruction, according to a press release.

“Women with breast cancer face significant challenges, and the choices surrounding breast reconstruction can feel overwhelming,” says Dr. Stephen Chin, interim vice president of Medical Affairs.

“Halton Healthcare is committed to bringing incredible expertise and guidance in making these important decisions to patients in our community. It’s crucial that women have the opportunity to receive expert information directly, ask questions, and connect with community resources and a supportive community of women who have gone through similar experiences.”

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). It is the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian women. Breast cancer can also occur in men, but it is not common.”

It estimates that 30,500 Canadian women — or 25 per cent of all new cancer cases — will be diagnosed this year. Over 5,000 of them will die.

Reconstructive surgery post-mastectomy can be a crucial part of patients’ physical and psychological recovery. “For many, breast reconstruction marks the final step in their breast cancer journey,” reads the announcement from Halton Healthcare. “A time to reclaim empowerment, confidence, and a renewed sense of self.”

Last year, OTMH became the first hospital to offer areola tattooing as a physician-funded service after Dr. Alexandra Ginty became the first physician to be certified in the region. The procedure involves simulating the physical depth and dimension of the areola, which is usually removed in the mastectomy process.

While OHIP covers breast reconstruction surgery, the tattooing process is only covered when performed by a physician, according to Halton Healthcare.

Ginty is a family medicine physician and surgical assistant at OTMH, restorative areola tattooist and regional primary care lead for cancer screening in the Mississauga Halton Central West Regional Cancer Program. She is also a breast cancer survivor and an artist, and says she underwent some 200 hours of training to become certified.

“I am deeply passionate about this event, as I am a breast cancer survivor myself. It’s crucial for women to understand the options available to them after a mastectomy,” she says.

“Every patient has unique choices and empowering them with information is essential for making informed decisions that are right for them. Seeing and talking to women in the Show and Tell Lounge is the real difference that this event makes”.

While the event is free to attend, registration is required at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breast-reconstruction-awareness-bra-day-tickets-1009713419017.

Though similar, this event is not to be confused with the Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day to be held at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto and online via Zoom on Oct. 16.