New Breast Cancer Option

Many women diagnosed with breast cancer want to take care of the disease quickly—destroying the tumor is their top priority. Many also worry about the appearance of their breast, but believe these two concerns can’t be addressed simultaneously.

Oncoplastic breast surgery, a new program at Lehigh Valley Hospital, combines the expertise of cancer surgeons and plastic surgeons. “It allows us to perform optimal cancer surgery with preoperative planning—and added efforts when necessary—to achieve the best possible cosmetic results,” says surgical oncologist Aaron Bleznak, M.D.

The patient who chooses oncoplasty meets with both specialists right from the beginning to learn about her surgical and reconstructive options. “The program adds a new level of sophistication to breast cancer surgery,” says plastic surgeon Robert X. Murphy Jr., M.D., “and we hope it will reduce the emotional turmoil that comes with a breast cancer diagnosis.”

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