October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) is helping survivors, and their family and friends, celebrate progress and inspire a renewed commitment to fighting the disease. On October 16, 2011, the ACS will continue their battle against breast cancer by hosting the largest breast cancer walk in Northern New Jersey. Dr. Luis Zapiach, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Paramus, NJ, has a deep rooted interest in breast cancer reconstruction, and says he looks forward to the ACS Breast Cancer Walk each year.
Roughly one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. [1] Due to the prevalence of this disease, and the impact early diagnosis can have on survival rate, the American Cancer Society remains passionately dedicated to raising awareness during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by organizing breast cancer walks across the country. As a major regional sponsor, Dr. Luis Zapiach will help the ACS raise awareness and support his New Jersey plastic surgery patients as he participates in the largest breast cancer walk in Northern New Jersey. “The ACS is a wonderful, serious organization with a longstanding history of providing assistance to patients with cancer and funding important research.”
As Dr. Zapiach prepares for the Breast Cancer Walk on October 16, 2011, he says he appreciates the opportunity to further support his breast cancer patients. “We routinely discuss the value of preventative medicine with all of our patients, as our role is that of a physician first, and then a plastic surgeon.” Whether this means discussing the need for screening mammograms with patients, or directing them to breast surgeons as required, Dr. Zapiach says the walk reminds everyone of the importance of breast cancer awareness.
In the face of a disease that directly affected more than 260,000 women in 2010, Dr. Zapiach says he not only maintains a steadfast commitment to raising awareness about breast cancer, but also to advancing the techniques used to treat the disease. Ultimately, he says breast cancer surgery can either be thought of as breast removal and breast conservation. By including a plastic surgeon in the assessment and treatment of breast cancer, Dr. Zapiach says many patients are able to preserve their aesthetic beauty and femininity by combining oncological treatment with breast reconstruction.
Despite his professional commitment to his patients and their battle with breast cancer, Dr. Zapiach admits that his dedication to this cause is fueled by much more. “As a husband and father of three daughters, breast cancer is a disease that holds significantly more than just an academic interest to me.”
About Luis Zapiach, MD
Dr. Luis Zapiach is double board certified in plastic surgery and general surgery. He earned his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine, and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Zapiach also completed a plastic surgery fellowship at Emory University, where he completed specialized training in oncoplastic reductions and breast reconstruction, as well as aesthetic procedures such as breast augmentation and liposuction.
Art Plastic Surgery is located at 1 West Ridgewood Ave. Suite 302, Paramus, NJ 07652. The practice can be reached at (201) 251-6622, or found online at artplasticsurgeons.com or facebook.com/artplasticsurgery.
[1] U. S. Breast Cancer Statistics. Breastcancer.org. Retrieved from http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics.jsp on 10/6/2011.
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