You are not alone - help for breast cancer patients

The researchers interviewed 22 women who had undergone the most common types of immediate and delayed reconstruction and asked them about their experiences, their feelings and the advice they would give to other women who may be thinking about reconstruction.

The results are both enlightening and deeply moving and have been used to create a DVD that the researchers hope will support women not only in making decisions regarding breast reconstruction, but also during their recovery and additional therapy.

Shelley Potter, Clinical Research Fellow at Bristol University and one of the producers of the DVD, said: "This is the first time that patient for patient information provision has been used in a clinical setting in this way and we are incredibly excited at what we believe to be a genuine advance in patient care and information provision."

Following breast surgery, or even breast removal, reconstructive surgery is possible to restore the appearance of the breast.  This can even be carried out at the same time as mastectomy.

Techniques have improved in recent years, and surgeons are able to more closely mimic the appearance of the other breast, giving a normal appearance in clothes.

Many forms of breast reconstruction are available, but reconstruction using skin and muscle from the back with or without a silicone implant is the one that women are most likely to be offered in the UK.  This is the method of reconstruction discussed in the DVD, but other DVDs covering other forms of reconstruction will be produced if this project is successful.

Shelley Potter added: "We feel the DVD will be of great benefit to women with breast cancer considering reconstruction and that this novel means of information provision, by patients for patients, will improve informed consent and help women make more informed decisions.

"No matter how good healthcare professionals are at giving information, they have generally not experienced a diagnosis of cancer or the decisions that patients are facing - the women in the DVD have.  They have been there, seen it, done it and can give meaningful advice from experience. The can also give an overwhelming message of hope."

All the women who participated in the project and their partners, together with the Lord Mayor of Bristol, will attend the official launch of the DVD at a celebratory supper at the Mansion House, Clifton, Bristol, on Friday 18 July.

The DVD has been produced by Riverhouse Productions and was funded by the charities, Above and Beyond Charities and Abreast.

The Breast Reconstruction Quality of Life Group are now looking for funding to create a novel website using the same approach as the DVD.  This innovative site will use video clips of women to answer a range of frequently asked breast reconstruction-related questions, which it is hoped will benefit a greater number of women.  The site will also be linked to a range of breast cancer charities to form a comprehensive support network.

Following the launch of the DVD the researchers will begin a randomised trial early next year to look at the expectations of women who are considering breast reconstruction.  Women will be put into two groups, one group will be given the current standard breast reconstruction advice: written information and a discussion with a breast surgeon and breast care nurse and the second group will be given the current standard advice and also the DVD.