1st BRA Day event in Bathurst a success
Bathurst, November 8 2016 – The first regional edition of « BRA Day », an initiative promoting breast reconstruction awareness, was hailed as a success. The October 17th event in Bathurst, made possible thanks to the determined efforts of the nursing staff of Chaleur Regional Hospital’s Women’s Wellness Clinic, drew more than 80 participants.
The “BRA Day” initiative aims to inform women who have had a mastectomy procedure of breast reconstruction options available to them, either a partial or complete breast removal generally necessary in breast cancer cases. Women who have lived the consequences of breast cancer, family members and health care stakeholders had the opportunity to further their knowledge of breast reconstruction post-mastectomy and find answers to their questions.
Dr. Marc-André Collin, plastic surgeon at Chaleur Regional Hospital presented to event participants an overall picture of breast reconstruction options available. He also mentioned the need to respect the patient’s choice during the process, whether she wishes a breast reconstruction or not.
“BRA Day encourages discussion amongst women who have lived through the difficult life event that is breast cancer and the physical and emotional consequences of a mastectomy. This activity’s purpose is to inform patients of surgical options for breast reconstruction”, said Dr. Collin.
Carole Beaudet, Nurse Manager for Ambulatory Care at Chaleur Regional Hospital, welcomes the success of the BRA Day activity. “This type of activity is an important platform to facilitate and foster an exchange of information among women who went through this difficult period in their lives. We are very grateful for the exceptional contribution from a good number of individuals that worked very hard to ensure the event’s success. in light of this success, we are quite optimistic that Bra Day will be a recurring event”, said Beaudet.
“Bra Day” events are held in communities throughout Canada in October thanks to the contribution of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
From left: Dr. Marc-André Collin (plastic surgeon), Denise Savoie (patient), Guylaine Thériault (Nurse Navigator at the Women’s Wellness Clinic). Absent from the picture : Sophie Landry (Nurse Coordinator at the Women’s Wellness Clinic).
