Skin and Nipple Sparing Mastectomy Press Release Template
Version for Distribution (References Omitted)
Surgical Technique Provides More Natural
Appearance for Women Following Mastectomy
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women in the US will develop
invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer
death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. But thanks to increased public
awareness, earlier detection through screening, and advances in treatment technology,
breast cancer mortality rates have been declining since 1989.
These days, recovery from breast cancer is about more than just surgical removal and
medical treatment of the disease. [surgeon first and last name] is a [specialty]
surgeon at [facility name] who treats breast cancer patients and has witnessed this shift
firsthand.
“As we continue to develop better medical technology, patients today want to be more
than just cancer-free,” said Dr. [surgeon last name]. “They want to return to their daily
routine as quickly as possible, and they want to feel comfortable and confident with their
physical appearance, especially after a challenging surgery like mastectomy.”
Surgeons like Dr. [surgeon last name] who focus on treating cancer while offering
positive cosmetic outcomes are adopting a new surgical technique for mastectomy. This
technique, called a nipple sparing mastectomy, preserves as much tissue as possible
and provides patients with a more natural appearance after surgery.
In a traditional mastectomy, the nipple and the areola are removed, along with some of
the surrounding skin. During a nipple sparing mastectomy, the incision is most
commonly made around the areola or along the crease under the breast. The breast
tissue is removed through the small opening that’s created, while the skin, including the
nipple and areola, is preserved. The tissue that remains provides the best natural shape
for an implant.
“This is the closest to normal that a patient can get following a mastectomy,” Dr.
[surgeon name] said, “and natural appearance is essential to most women in terms of
their self-confidence.”
Not every patient is eligible for nipple sparing mastectomy. Factors that may affect
eligibility include the size and location of the cancer as well as the patient’s breast size
and shape. According to Dr. [surgeon name], it’s important for patients to explore all
potential options for breast cancer treatment and their associated risks with help from
their physician.
When performing mastectomy and breast reconstruction procedures, surgeons have
traditionally used electrosurgical instruments that cut tissue while stopping bleeding
(called coagulation or hemostasis). Although they are helpful during surgery, these
devices operate at very high temperatures and can cause damage to the tissue.
71-10-2652 12.15 Rev B
A device called the PlasmaBlade from Medtronic is becoming the instrument of choice
for surgeons performing nipple sparing mastectomy. It helps control bleeding while they
cut, similar to traditional instruments, but the PlasmaBlade’s operating temperature is
nearly half that of other devices. This allows surgeons to cut skin and create skin flaps –
two essential steps in nipple sparing mastectomy – with less risk of thermal damage to
the surrounding tissue. Offering precise dissection and bleeding control at a lower
temperature is important because it is associated with improved incision healing,
scarring and inflammation.
“The most important benefit I’ve witnessed from using the PlasmaBlade is reduced
thermal tissue damage compared to the way we performed surgery previously,” states
Dr. [surgeon name]. “I am now combining the benefits of a more natural appearance by
performing the nipple sparing technique with the potential for improved incision healing
by using the PlasmaBlade. This makes me confident that I’m providing optimal care to
my patients who need a mastectomy.”
BIO ON DOCTOR GOES HERE
71-10-2652 12.15 Rev B
Skin and Nipple Sparing Mastectomy Press Release Template
Version for Internal Archive (References Included)
Surgical Technique Provides More Natural
Appearance for Women Following Mastectomy
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women in the US will develop
invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer
death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. But thanks to increased public
awareness, earlier detection through screening, and advances in treatment technology,
breast cancer mortality rates have been declining since 1989.1
These days, recovery from breast cancer is about more than just surgical removal and
medical treatment of the disease. [surgeon first and last name] is a [specialty]
surgeon at [facility name] who treats breast cancer patients and has witnessed this shift
firsthand.
“As we continue to develop better medical technology, patients today want to be more
than just cancer-free,” said Dr. [surgeon last name]. “They want to return to their daily
routine as quickly as possible, and they want to feel comfortable and confident with their
physical appearance, especially after a challenging surgery like mastectomy.”
Surgeons like Dr. [surgeon last name] who focus on treating cancer while offering
positive cosmetic outcomes are adopting a new surgical technique for mastectomy. This
technique, called a nipple sparing mastectomy, preserves as much tissue as possible
and provides patients with a more natural appearance after surgery.
In a traditional mastectomy, the nipple and the areola are removed, along with some of
the surrounding skin. During a nipple sparing mastectomy, the incision is most
commonly made around the areola or along the crease under the breast. The breast
tissue is removed through the small opening that’s created, while the skin, including the
nipple and areola, is preserved. The tissue that remains provides the best natural shape
for an implant.2
“This is the closest to normal that a patient can get following a mastectomy,” Dr.
[surgeon name] said, “and natural appearance is essential to most women in terms of
their self-confidence.”
Not every patient is eligible for nipple sparing mastectomy. Factors that may affect
eligibility include the size and location of the cancer as well as the patient’s breast size
and shape.3 According to Dr. [surgeon name], it’s important for patients to explore all
potential options for breast cancer treatment and their associated risks with help from
their physician.
When performing mastectomy and breast reconstruction procedures, surgeons have
traditionally used electrosurgical instruments that cut tissue while stopping bleeding
(called coagulation or hemostasis). Although they are helpful during surgery, these
devices operate at very high temperatures and can cause damage to the tissue.*,4,5
71-10-2652 12.15 Rev B
A device called the PlasmaBlade from Medtronic is becoming the instrument of choice
for surgeons performing nipple sparing mastectomy.6 It helps control bleeding while they
cut, similar to traditional instruments, but the PlasmaBlade’s operating temperature is
nearly half that of other devices.*,4 This allows surgeons to cut skin and create skin flaps
– two essential steps in nipple sparing mastectomy – with less risk of thermal damage to
the surrounding tissue.7 Offering precise dissection and bleeding control at a lower
temperature is important because it is associated with improved incision healing,
scarring and inflammation.7
“The most important benefit I’ve witnessed from using the PlasmaBlade is reduced
thermal tissue damage compared to the way we performed surgery previously,” states
Dr. [surgeon name]. “I am now combining the benefits of a more natural appearance by
performing the nipple sparing technique with the potential for improved incision healing
by using the PlasmaBlade. This makes me confident that I’m providing optimal care to
my patients who need a mastectomy.”
BIO ON DOCTOR GOES HERE
References
1. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-key-statistics.
2. Gerber B, Krause A, Dieterich M, Kundt G, Reimer T. The oncological safety of skin sparing mastectomy
with conservation of the nipple-areola complex and autologous reconstruction: an extended follow-up
study. Ann Surg. 2009;249(3):461-468.
3. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical practice guidelines in oncology:
Breast cancer V.1.2014. http://www.nccn.org, 2014.
4. Data on file. ETR-00023 study summary. 71-10-2475.
5. Data on file. Histology Images for PEAK PlasmaBlade. 71-10-2559.
6. Medtronic Advanced Energy sales data on file.
7. Ruidiaz ME, Messmer D, Atmodjo DY, et al. Comparative healing of human cutaneous surgical incisions
created by the PEAK PlasmaBlade, conventional electrosurgery, and a standard scalpel. Plast Reconstr
Surg. 2011;128(1):104-111.
*
Operating temperature is a function of device settings, electrode configuration and treatment time.
Operating temperatures outside this range may be observed.
71-10-2652 12.15 Rev B