My guest this eveing was Mr Miles Banwell, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Spire Hartswood hospital in Brentwood. Mr Banwell qualified in 1994 and works within the NHS as well as practising privately in London.
His work covers all aspects of cosmetic surgery including breast reshaping, facelifts, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), liposuction, tummy tucks and skin lesions. Reconstructive surgery , means to restore the form and function of the body after a trauma.
If a woman decides to have reconstructive surgery after breast cancer then Miles works alongside the breast surgeon to rebuild what has been removed. Reconstructive surgery can be done immediately after breast cancer surgery or it can be delayed until the chest has healed from the mastectomy and after she has completed other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.
Breasts can be rebuilt using implants or tissue can be taken from elsewhere in the body such as the stomach or thigh.
Risk – reducing mastectomy is what Angelina Jolie had recently. It’s the surgical removal of one or two breasts to prevent or reduce the risk of cancer in women who are at high risk of developing the disease.
October is breast cancer awareness month and Spire Hartswood Hospital are hosting a free breast awareness open day on Saturday 19th October, where anybody can turn up and learn more about breast cancer and breast awareness. Details are on the Spire website or call 01277 266761.