Breast Reduction Surgery at Los Angeles Plastic Surgery Practice can Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

The Los Angeles plastic surgery specialists at Marina Plastic Surgery offer breast reduction, also known as mammoplasty, to help reduce the risk of breast cancer in women, as well as save lives.

Marina Del Rey, California (October 2011) – Marina Plastic Surgery, a Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, is observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month by offering free consultations to women suffering from overly large breasts or macromastia, often seen in obese women. Studies link large breasts to an increased risk of breast cancer metastasis to the lymph nodes (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2474642). The reasons are not clear, but may be linked to obesity where breast cancer rates are statistically higher or a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer more common in large breasted women.

"We have been carefully watching the literature over the years linking macromastia to breast cancer. 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," according to Grant Stevens, M.D., founder of Marina Plastic Surgery and a Los Angeles breast implant surgeon. "We find that women with large breasts are also very self-conscious about them. We have done many breast reduction or mammoplasty procedures, and the women are overwhelmingly grateful for the freedom of a smaller breast size." He added that the potential for breast cancer and spread to the lymph nodes alone should be a reason for women to consider reduction surgery. It has the same basic side effects as any surgical procedure, and the nipples can be less sensitive afterwards.

"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 notes. "Certainly, there are other risk factors for breast cancer so we support an all-out assault on the disease this month by observing other risk factors." These include:

• Alcohol use
• Diet – plant based diets tend to be safer than meat based ones
• Early menses/late menopause
• Family history
• No children or later child birth
• Genetics
• Hormones
• And, of course, obesity
• Age – the risk increases as women age

For more information about breast reduction or a complementary consultation about a Los Angeles breast reduction, find Marina Plastic Surgery on the web at www.marinaplasticsurgery.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter @DrGrantStevens.

If you'd like to get to know Dr. Stevens in person, you can receive a free consultation when you schedule your appointment during one of the select times he has set aside exclusively for Web visitors.