Juliet's story: No reconstruction is a post-mastectomy option

Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider

• What happens if I choose not to have reconstruction? How long will it take to heal? What will my chest look like?
• Is nipple-sparing mastectomy an option for me? How will it affect reconstruction or the possibility of recurrence or a new diagnosis?
• What are my options for reconstruction? How likely am I to be satisfied with the outcome? What if I am dissatisfied with my result? What complications can occur with reconstruction and how will they be rectified?
• If I choose not to have reconstruction now, can I decide to have reconstruction later? How will delaying reconstruction change my options?
• What non-surgical cosmetic alternatives, like tattooing over my mastectomy scars, are available? What types of prostheses might I consider?

Open Clinical Trials

The following studies are related to mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

• NCT05720039: Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy With Immediate Implant-Based Reconstruction for Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer. This study will compare robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) to standard surgery NSM for women with early-stage breast cancer. 
• NCT02918474: Decision-Making Tool in Supporting Decision-Making in Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer. This trial studies the acceptability and usefulness of a tool that supports decision-making for contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer.
• NCT04533373: Sensory Restoration After DIEP Flap Neurotization. The goal of this study is to look at whether nerve graft works to improve sensation in the breast after mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction. 

• NCT05020574: Microbiome and Association With Implant Infections. This study is looking at whether people with high amounts of certain types of bacteria are more likely to develop tissue expander-related infections than those with lower amounts of bacteria.