About Us
Our Mission
Breast cancer ranks in the top five most common cancers amongst south African women. Strides have been made in diagnosis and therapeutic surgery, but there remain gaps in the ability to get reconstructive surgery, and Smile Artists Africa aims to contribute towards reducing this burden and helping African women to achieve breast reconstruction.
Smile Artists Africa arose from a desire amongst the artist community to contribute to social development in South Africa. Dr Brian Monaisa is a Johannesburg based plastic surgeon, and an avid art collector. He rallied these
incredible independent, artists together into the Smile Artists Africa project.
Renowned and rising artists have responded to the call and donated works to be
sold in aid of empowering female cancer survivors.
“Apart from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 25 in South Africa, according to the 2017 National Cancer Registry (NCR)”
What is breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is the creation of a new breast shape, or mound, using surgery.
It may be done after the removal of a whole breast (mastectomy) or part of the breast (breast-conserving surgery). A woman can have reconstruction at the same time as breast cancer surgery, known as immediate reconstruction; or months or years later, known as delayed reconstruction.
The aim of breast reconstruction is to create a breast shape that looks as natural as possible and to try to match the breast on the other side in size, shape and position.
Having a breast reconstruction will not increase the chances of the breast cancer coming back.
Who can have a reconstruction?
Most women who have had a mastectomy (surgery to remove a breast), and some who have had breast-conserving surgery, can have either immediate or delayed breast reconstruction.
Reasons for having reconstruction
Some women choose reconstruction for practical reasons such as not having to wear a prosthesis. Surgery for breast cancer is likely to affect how you look and feel in some way. Some women find it harder than others to come to terms with losing one or both of their breasts. After breast surgery, they might be concerned about the shape of their body and how the breast area will look. Many women choose breast reconstruction because your breasts are an important part of their body image, self-esteem, and sexuality.
Making a decision about reconstruction
Choosing whether or not to have breast reconstruction is a very personal decision.
There’s no right or wrong choice.
However, many women do not get the chance to make this choice as they simply cannot afford it.
Most medical aids do not cover the costs as it is a cosmetic procedure. The surgeries are normally carried out by an oncoplastic breast surgeon, or a plastic surgeon trained in breast reconstruction.
Types of reconstruction
There are three main types of breast reconstruction:
• Reconstruction using only a breast implant
• Reconstruction using your own tissue (a tissue flap), which can be taken from a number of places in the body (the most common being the back or the lower part of the abdomen)
• Reconstruction using a combination of tissue and an implant
About
Smile Artists Africa arose from a desire amongst the artist community to contribute to social development in South Africa. Dr Brian Monaisa is a Johannesburg based plastic surgeon, and an avid art collector. He rallied these incredible independent, artists together into the Smile Artists Africa project. Renowned and rising artists have responded to the call and donated works to be sold in aid of empowering female cancer survivors.
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Postnet suite 125
Private bag x 121
Halfway House
1685
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