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Breast Reduction Can Save Lives and Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

Dr. Grant Stevens, a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast reduction surgery specialist in Los Angeles, discusses the fact that comedian Wanda Sykes' breast cancer was discovered after breast reduction surgery.

Marina Del Rey, California (November 2011) – Women with overly large breasts, or macromastia, have an increased risk of breast cancer, says Dr. Grant Stevens, a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon and breast reduction surgeon at Marina Plastic Surgery Associates (www.marinaplasticsurgery.com). The reason is not clear, he says, but it may be linked to obesity, where breast cancer rates are statistically higher, or a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, which is more common in large-breasted women.

Comedian Wanda Sykes underwent breast cancer surgery after cancer was discovered following breast reduction surgery. She told People magazine that she had just had a mammogram but it wasn't until the breast tissue was sent to the laboratory – standard procedure after surgery – that ductal carcinoma in situ was detected.

"We have been carefully watching the literature over the years linking macromastia to breast cancer," Dr. Stevens said. "In addition to the obvious problems big breasts bring, such as back strain, bra straps cutting into the shoulders and difficulty exercising, cancer is seen more often in women with large breasts. Ms. Sykes' experience is a classic example of the difficulty in diagnosing cancer in large-breasted women."

Dr. Stevens did not treat Ms. Sykes, but he has had experience with similar cases.

"In addition, we find that women with large breasts are also very self-conscious about them. We have done many breasts reductions, and the women are overwhelmingly thrilled with the freedom of a smaller breast size," Dr. Stevens says.

The risk of breast cancer should be a reason for large-breasted women to consider reduction surgery, said Dr. Stevens, founder of Marina Plastic Surgery.

"There have been multiple studies to compare breast cancer rates after breast reduction surgery. Statistics do show a decrease in breast cancer incidence in the breast reduction group," Dr. Stevens says. "Certainly, there are other risk factors for breast cancer, so we support an all-out assault on the disease by looking for all factors."

Risk factors include:

• Alcohol use

• Diet. Plant-based diets tend to be safer than meat-based ones.

• Early menses and/or late menopause

• Family history

• No children or later child birth

• Genetics

• Hormones

• Obesity

• Age. The risk increases as women age.

To learn more about our breast reduction surgery options, request a consultation online or call us at 877.298.9915 .

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