MEDICAL NEWS TODAY
New Biologic Grafts Give Plastic Surgeons Advanced Approach To Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy
Medical News Today, 11 October 2010
Plastic surgeons treating patients faced with the difficult decision of reconstructive surgery after mastectomy now have access to breakthrough treatment options with Cook Medical's Biodesign® Tissue Generation Matrix and Biodesign Nipple Reconstruction Cylinder. Designed to signal the body to encourage rapid tissue remodeling, the Biodesign grafts strike a critical balance of strength and flexibility that achieve aesthetically pleasing results. Introduced at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) annual meeting, both products leverage the proven Biodesign technology platform which has, to date, been used in more than one million patient treatments across nine procedural areas in 96 countries.
Biodesign is a non-cross-linked, non-dermis-based biologic graft that remodels into new patient tissue that is pliable yet long-lasting. Unlike many dermis-based grafts often used to reconstruct the breast, Biodesign is carefully processed to maintain its signaling and remodeling capability. Alternatively, acellular dermal matricies (ADM) contain high amounts of elastin, which can remain in the patient's body and stretch unpredictably. Biodesign avoids leaving behind meaningful amounts of elastin, providing lasting shape and support.
The Biodesign Tissue Generation Matrix helps to rebuild the breast by signaling the body to generate new tissue. Engineered to maintain a precise balance of strength and flexibility, Biodesign maintains a natural feel before, during and after the tissue generation process. The material can be used across all breast procedures including breast reconstruction, breast revision and mastopexy. Biodesign gives surgeons a way to restore a desirable aesthetic without leaving a permanent material behind.
The Biodesign Nipple Reconstruction Cylinder is a first-of-its-kind product, providing a scaffold for re-establishing a nipple projection, historically viewed as a challenge for nipple reconstruction procedures. The nipple reconstruction cylinder gives natural thickness and feel to projections giving physicians the ability to comprehensively complete the reconstruction process.
"The choice to undergo reconstructive surgery after mastectomy can be a difficult one for any patient, and filled with much anxiety around the best treatment options," said Andy Cron, vice president and global business unit leader of Cook Medical's Surgery business unit. "We are pleased to introduce Biodesign to the plastic surgery community and believe this new approach to breast and nipple reconstruction will deliver superb results."
Source:
Biodesign
Cook Medical
Walking Can Decrease Breast Cancer Recurrence 40 Percent
Medical News Today , 5 September 2009
When it comes to further minimizing the chance of breast cancer recurrence, Dr. Carolyn Kaelin, a Harvard surgeon, breast cancer survivor and author of The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan, says, "Brisk walking - about 3.0 mph on a treadmill - for three to five hours per week, or about 30 minutes a day, can net big benefits for breast cancer survivors."
Kaelin, in conjunction with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and CYBEX exercise equipment, is promoting brisk walking and the benefits of cardio exercise through CYBEX Pink Ribbon Run for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this October.
Research from The Nurses Health Study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) tracked nearly 3,000 women up to 14 years after their breast cancer diagnosis and found that cardiovascular and aerobic physical activities reduced the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence and increased the odds of living longer.
"Recurrence rates and deaths from breast cancer decreased by 40 percent among those who exercise at least 3-5 hours per week, compared with those who were sedentary," Kaelin added. "It does not need to be running a marathon, or biking a century, but rather simply walking briskly most days on a treadmill, at a shopping mall or around a track, that further reduces breast cancer recurrence for those who have been treated for the condition. For all women, in addition to physical activity helping to optimize body weight and reduce high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, scientific research is more strongly pointing to the positive effects of cardio-vascular exercise in reducing breast cancer risk and the risks of other forms of cancer, too."
The first-ever, custom-made pink treadmills have been produced by CYBEX, a leading manufacturer of exercise equipment, to log miles and raise funds for (BCRF). As part of the CYBEX Pink Ribbon run, the pink treadmills are being sold and installed in health clubs, YMCA's, hotels and spas, student recreation centers, corporate employee gyms and other exercise facilities around the country. CYBEX will donate 10 cents for every mile logged on any pink CYBEX 750T treadmill throughout the month of October 2009 to BCRF.
"This is a great strategic alliance with corporate America and BCRF whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime," states Myra J. Biblowit, President of the BCRF. "Partnering with CYBEX to promote the importance of exercise is a natural synergy and underscores BCRF's mission to provide critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research and to increase public awareness about good breast health."
"There are hundreds of pink treadmills in fitness facilities that will raise funding for breast cancer research and we're also conveying an important message on the benefits of exercise in reducing the risk of breast cancer and for breast cancer survivors," stated Joan Carter, Executive Director of the CYBEX Pink Ribbon Run.
Source: CYBEX
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163070.php
Main News Category: Breast Cancer