Whipps Cross University Hospital

22nd February 2010

Breast cancer patients at Whipps Cross University NHS Hospital NHS Trust now have the option of reconstructive surgery as a first of its kind at the hospital from Consultant Surgeon, Mr Anil Poddar.

Although this is not a new procedure, patients previously had to travel to plastic surgeons at Broomfield Hospital for any type of reconstructive breast surgery following a mastectomy. 

Since his appointment in March last year, Mr Poddar has introduced the procedure at Whipps, meaning breast cancer patients living locally now have peace of mind in not having to travel far from home.

More than 45,500 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK (excluding non melanoma skin cancer) and by far the most common cancer in women. Approximately 40-50% patients with diagnosis of breast cancer require mastectomy for treating their cancer.

Mr Poddar said:  “There are three main types of surgery in this field with Whipps Cross now being able to offer two types – implant based reconstruction and another procedure where muscle is taken from the patients back to reform the breast.

“Implant based surgery is the simplest form of reconstruction and is done as two stage procedure and can be done as overnight stay. 

“The second type involves muscle flap being taken from the back with implant which takes longer to perform and patients usually stay in for a week in hospital.

“The third kind of surgery does require input from plastic surgeons, and at the moment patients requiring this are going to Broomfield hospital.”

All patients requiring reconstructive surgery are counselled with regard to the best type of surgery for individual patient depending on their previous treatment and general health.  The reconstructive surgery is available to any women who had mastectomy in the past or needs a mastectomy as a new diagnosis for cancer.

A recent nationwide audit has recommended that all women undergoing a mastectomy should be offered reconstructive surgery as an immediate or delayed procedure (after completing other treatment necessary for cancer).

Mr Poddar continued: “A mastectomy can be very difficult for some women to come to terms with and it can be life changing for patients who have undergone a reconstruction and I am extremely pleased that it has been implemented successfully at the hospital.”

He completed the first breast reconstructive surgery at Whipps on 1 December 2009.  His patient Coral White, a 43 year old grandmother from Chingford, had surgery last year to remove her breast followed by chemotherapy sessions.

After her reconstructive surgery, she said:  “I can’t thank Mr Poddar enough for what he has done – it has been an extremely emotional experience and one that has changed my life totally. 

“The whole process has been much better than I had ever expected.  It has built my confidence and I feel much better now – I would encourage other women who have had a mastectomy to have this surgery.  I was cared for so well and am also still having excellent aftercare from the whole team.”

Ends

Notes to Editor

• Pictured:  L-R Mr Anil Poddar, Consultant Surgeon, Coral White, Patient and Jocelyn Barrett, CNS Breast
• Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust is an acute Trust providing care to the local population of Waltham Forest, west Redbridge, Essex and east London.
• We provide a comprehensive range of acute healthcare services, responding to both emergencies and planned operations.
• The Trust has education, training and research roles as well as providing a number of 'shared services' to other NHS Trusts.
• The Big Push appeal for Whipps Cross Maternity Unit will raise £350,000 for essential equipment and resources benefiting the 5,000 babies born at Whipps every year.