Breast Augmentation

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have an Inquiry regarding breast augmentation, I am wondering if my wife would be a candidate or should even consider a consultation.  She had ovarian cancer in 2005 and then in 2014 was diagnosed with Stage 4 head and throat cancer.  She is currently in remission. She has always wanted breast augmentation surgery but I wonder now if it would be too late.

A: Just because one has cancer, or even a lifespan that looks limited, does not preclude one from undergoing breast augmentation surgery. I did a lady some time ago who a stage 4 liver cancer. She had always waned to have breast implants and finally fulfilled her wish. She lived for two years after the procedure. It is all about making patients happy. Some people in having a cancer diagnosis may take that trip around the world or climb up Machu Picchu…others may want to have breast implants. There is no medical reason to not do so if her cancer doctors approve and she is not on any active chemotherapy or immunosuppression drugs. Breast augmentation surgery would be comparatively ‘easy’ to go through compared to any of her other cancer surgeries.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana