BRA DAY: CLOSING THE LOOP ON BREAST CANCER

 

6th Annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day provides hope to women seeking options and information about breast reconstruction after cancer

In support of the sixth annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, Dr. Sheina Macadam is hosting a BRA Day event on Wednesday October 19th, 2016. BRA Day is a revolutionary initiative designed to promote education, awareness and access regarding post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, and is a program of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This one-day event provides the opportunity for local women to learn about their breast reconstruction options from plastic surgeons, connect with women who have been through reconstruction, and get answers to their reconstruction questions.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst Canadian women, however only 1 in 10 will opt for breast reconstruction surgery, a fully insured medical procedure in Canada. Although there are a variety of personal reasons for this choice, lack of awareness and timely access to information remains a significant problem, particularly for women living outside major city centres,” said Natalie Witkin, Senior Manager, Partnerships and Programs, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

One of the most popular components to the event is *The Show & Tell Lounge, which is offered at many BRA Day events as a safe and comfortable environment for showing, telling, talking and connecting. This is an intimate experience that allows women the opportunity to see real-life reconstruction results, and provides them with a better understanding of the pros and cons of breast reconstruction.

“Plastic and reconstructive surgeons are not typically part of the medical team handling the initial treatment plan which is focused on treating the disease,” says Dr. Mitchell Brown, plastic surgeon and Founder of BRA Day. “However, for many women, breast reconstruction could be a vital step in the recovery and healing process by closing the loop on breast cancer.”

Brown successfully launched BRA Day in 2011, and over five years, BRA Day has grown to include numerous events throughout Canada and has more than 30 countries participating worldwide.

Vancouver BRA Day

Wednesday October 19th, 2016; 5:30 pm — 8:30 pm

Paetzold Auditorium & Atrium, 1st Floor, Jim Pattison Pavilion, Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)

899 West 12th Ave

Vancouver, BC, Canada

At BRA Day Vancouver, attendees will be educated by leading plastic surgeons on breast reconstruction. The feature of Vancouver BRA Day will be the Show & Tell Lounge, an innovative space where volunteers show attendees the real-life results of their breast reconstruction. The event is free to attend and will include light refreshments.