Svētdiena, 18. decembris, 2022
Considering that the state-funded breast reconstruction program has not been resumed, the Latvian Microsurgery Center (LCC) continues the campaign launched last year, during which 5 women will receive free breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer.
In 2020, LCM performed free breast reconstruction for seven women from different regions of Latvia.
“I am very glad that Latvian women have begun to actualize this issue over the past two years, they are no longer afraid and do not hesitate to share their sad experiences, and this affects both public opinion and the decisions of politicians,” comments the head of the LCM, Dr. Medical Sciences Calvis Pastars. “Until dedicated funding for breast reconstruction is allocated and not all breast cancer patients in Latvia can live a full life after a mastectomy, we keep our promise – we continue the charity campaign we started, within which we will perform breast reconstruction for free for 5 patients who won breast cancer”, says K.Pastars.
Thanks to the courage and enterprise of breast cancer patients, as well as public support, more than 13,000 votes from Latvian citizens were collected on the portal manabalss.lv for the appropriation of state funding for the breast reconstruction program after breast cancer. With the active participation of the Cooperation Network of Latvian Women’s Non-Governmental Organizations (Latvijas Sieviešu nevalstisko organizāciju sadarbības tīkls), breast cancer patient support societies VITA, “Dzīvības koks”, the Charitable Foundation “Rozā vilciens”, the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as the Ministry of Health, the National Health Service and Commission of the Seimas on Social and Labor Affairs, which contributed to a deeper understanding of the problem, an agreement was reached to resume the breast reconstruction program in 2022. At the moment, the project has been sent for consideration to the government and the Seimas.
Currently, Latvia is the only EU country without state funding for a breast reconstruction program.
Breast reconstruction is the only way for a woman to fully return to life and reduce or even completely eliminate the complications associated with breast cancer treatment, and return patients to a full life.
This year, leading specialists of the Latvian Microsurgery Center will perform reconstructive surgeries on five patients who, after breast cancer treatment – surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or their combinations, have passed at least one year and have no contraindications to surgery, and other health risk factors minimal.
In turn, free consultations will be provided to any patient who needs the restoration of one or both breasts. The Center invites women to send applications with a brief description of themselves.
Patient consultations and operations will be carried out by experienced specialists of the center – microsurgeons and certified plastic surgeons with significant experience in the use of versatile reconstructive technologies: Dr.med. Kalvis Pastars, Haralds Adovich, Gundars Krauklis, Janis Zarins, Nonna Tomisheva, Maris Krumins and Marta Taurite.
Women who need and wish to receive a free medical consultation and the opportunity to have a free breast reconstruction, please apply by 05.11.2021 by calling + 371 28306203 or by writing to registratura@mcl.lv.
The center’s specialists will be happy to receive letters from patients in which they share stories from their lives and their victory over a serious illness. Please send letters to the e-mail of the Latvian Microsurgery Center – centre@mcl.lv or by mail: Brivibas gatve 410, Riga, LV-1024.
The time of free consultations and operations will be determined, taking into account the current situation with Covid -19 in the country.
Approximately 1200 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Latvia. In about 30% of cases, this occurs at a late stage.
Since 2009, the breast reconstruction program has been suspended, no funds have been allocated for its restoration all these years.
More information:
Janis Bendiks, Executive Director of the Latvian Microsurgery Center
Mob. 25211239. E-mail: registratura@mcl.lv
