A breast cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing experience and now Kingston General Hospital (KGH) and Hotel Dieu Hospital (HDH) are providing a new level of support to patients through a more comprehensive breast reconstruction program that connects patients with a breast reconstruction surgeon sooner than ever before.
In our region between 14 and 20 per cent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer will require a mastectomy, which includes the removal of one or both breasts. While effective, this treatment can have a lasting impact on a patient.
There are many reconstruction options but generally patients fall into two pathways, either immediate or delayed surgery. Immediate reconstruction surgery takes place at the same time as the mastectomy so that the patient only has to undergo anesthesia and the subsequent recovery process once. Delayed reconstruction occurs after a mastectomy or lumpectomy and chemotherapy and/or radiation are completed. Reconstruction procedures that can be done on an outpatient basis are performed at HDH, while the more complex procedures requiring a hospital stay take place at KGH.
How to be referred to the breast reconstruction program
I will be having breast cancer surgery.
- Immediate reconstruction takes place at the same time as your breast cancer surgery.
- Ask your physician to fax a referral to the KGH site office of Dr. Engel or Dr. Merchant at 613-548-2500.
I have already had breast cancer surgery.
- Delayed reconstruction takes place after surgery and related treatments, even if it has been a while since your mastectomy.
- Ask your physician to fax a referral to the Hotel Dieu site office of Dr. Martou at 613-544-3709.
Services and Procedures
- Immediate reconstruction surgery - takes place at the same time as the mastectomy
- Delayed reconstruction - occurs after a mastectomy or lumpectomy and chemotherapy and/or radiation are completed
