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Tissue donation offers hope to women treated for breast cancer A breast cancer diagnosis is something most women begin to fear when they have their first mammogram at around age 40. So when Alicja Lonczak was just 29, she received the shock of her life upon learning she had the disease. The discovery came in the form of a lump in her left breast. 76 “I had an appointment coming up with my gynecologist shortly after, so I figured I would bring it up with him. I don’t think the doctor or I thought there was much to worry about, since statistically, the chances of a lump being cancerous in someone my age were so very low, but there’s always a possibility,” said Lonczak. September 28, 2013 From there, she underwent an ultrasound, which led to a biopsy that ultimately confirmed the bad news. My first thoughts were about the family my husband and I hoped to start one day. We had been married for less than a year, and I knew that chemo could have adverse effects on my fertility. I dreaded LifeChoice OPO
If potential tissue donors “would be willing to consider a donation, they could have a positive impact on another person that would last a lifetime.” - Alicja Lonczak telling my husband and my parents the biopsy results because I knew it would be heartbreaking for them,” she said. Lonczak had a lot to consider in terms of treatment. She elected to have a bilateral mastectomy with the placement of tissue expanders. About a week after her surgery, she also did a cycle of in vitro fertilization to preserve her chances of one day having a biological child. The cycle produced two embryos, now frozen for the future. “I opted for a double mastectomy because I didn’t want to have to live with the fear of getting cancer in my other breast. Mentally, it was better for me for both of them to be gone.” Frequently now, when a woman undergoes a mastectomy, there’s no need to actually remove the entire breast. Rather, the surgeon removes all of the breast tissue, similar to carving a pumpkin. There are many options for women to consider. “Skin-sparing mastectomies are performed approximately 75% of the time in my practice,” said reconstructive surgeon Dr. Melissa Johnson, who performed Lonczak’s surgery. “Nipple sparing is much less often used – 15 to 20 percent – and classic mastectomies are needed for advanced disease, less than five percent of the time.” Unfortunately, when most women hear mastectomy, they only consider the classic version where the entire breast is removed. However, skin sparing is ontologically sound but leaves behind the skin. Here’s where donation plays a role. Dr. Johnson explains that donor skin is processed to remove all of the living cells. The acellular dermal matrix/grafts (ADM) are permanent scaffolds. In breast reconstruction, the grafts are sutured to allow for a more natural shape and better breast fold on the lower portion of the breast. “Prior to ADMs, surgeons would elevate a lateral muscle,” adds Dr. Johnson. “The current operation is less painful and the cosmetic results are generally better. The grafts will actually get incorporated into the normal chest wall tissues, whereas a foreign body such as prosthetic mesh will not.” Given the prevalence of breast cancer, there’s an especially high demand for tissue donation. “Skin is your largest organ. And we need it. Breast cancer affects one in six women. Not just survival but quality of life is important,” says Dr. Johnson. To raise awareness about mastectomy options, October 16 has been deemed “National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day” or Bra Day USA. Lonczak is still going through the reconstruction process. She’s looking forward to moving forward with her life and one day becoming a mother. She has this message for all “could-be” donors. “I would tell them to try to put themselves in the shoes of the people who they would be helping. If they would be willing to consider a donation, they could have a positive impact on another person that would last a lifetime.” In The News 77
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LifeChoice Donor Services teams wit
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ECHO underscores the critical need
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Almost four years ago, Hodrinsky se
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day,” said Deborah Savaria, Chief
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Life Choice Organ Donor Services Th
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LEFT: Last year, more than 600 frie
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LEFT: Mark Quinn, left, and William
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and the dream of a new, healthy lif
Page 25 and 26: LEFT:Colchester Public Works Direct
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Page 29 and 30: Annual Blue & Green Walk/Run for Or
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Page 51 and 52: TOP LEFT: Ruth Amador, HCC nursing
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Page 55 and 56: LEFT: Connecticut athletes affected
Page 57 and 58: BELOW: Former Meriden resident, Pat
Page 59 and 60: “I was tired a lot. I lost my app
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Page 69 and 70: LEFT: The Preece family is shown in
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Page 87 and 88: A father’s gift LEFT: Jalyn Franc
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