Breast reconstruction after mastectomy. What the family physician should know.

The most common female malignancy, cancer of the breast, affects one in 15 women in Australia. A significant number of those who have had a mastectomy seek the advice of their general practitioner about breast reconstruction. The counsel of the past--that they should think themselves fortunate to have survived the mastectomy and 'leave well enough alone'--is no longer valid. This article discusses the need for reconstruction, its worth and the procedures available.