MARINA DEL REY, CA, October 20, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marina Plastic Surgery Associates, 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 breasts reductions or mammoplasty procedures, and the women are overwhelming 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 Associates on the web at www.marinaplasticsurgery.com, on www.Facebook.com/MarinaPlasticSurgeryAssociates, and on Twitter @DrGrantStevens.
At Marina Plastic Surgery Associates (http://www.marinaplasticsurgery.com), board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Grant Stevens, Dr. Michelle Spring, and Dr. David Stoker offer innovative plastic surgery procedures including breast augmentation, face lifts, and abdominoplasty. After earning his medical degree with honors from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Dr. Stevens trained extensively in both general and plastic surgery before establishing his successful Los Angeles plastic surgery practice. Dr. Spring earned her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin, where she graduated with Distinction. After graduation, she went on to complete a 5-year Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Wisconsin, and an Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship with Dr. Stevens in Marina Del Rey, California. Dr. Stoker graduated with honors from Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery and plastic surgery residencies at New York University Medical Center. Dr. Stevens, Dr. Spring, and Dr. Stoker have all published extensively in clinical research publications showcasing some of the latest developments in plastic surgery procedures, and have gained recognition as pioneers in new techniques for procedures including liposuction and breast reduction.
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