Today, we learn more about a new, more cosmetically-pleasing breast surgery helping women keep a good self image.

dr. bill owens, aurora baycare medical center

patti spurlock, aurora baycare patient

Breast surgeon Bill Owens with Aurora BayCare Medical Center talks about an advancement called nipple-sparing mastectomies.

Says Dr. Owens, "What we do with this technique is make a small incision off to the side of the breast, so there's not visible scar, even if the woman wears something a little low cut.

We scoop out the breast tissue underneath the nipple areola, so we're able to pull out the entire organ thru this incision. Then, in the same procedure, while the patient is asleep, the plastic surgeon comes in and starts the reconstruction process."

Patti Spurlock recently opted for this surgery because it was important to her for her breasts to look natural. She's grateful for the advances in recent years. She remembers well when a female relative was diagnosed.

Says Spurlock, "My aunt had breast cancer and she had to go thru a radical mastectomy and it was very disfiguring."

And emotionally trying.

Says Dr. Owens, "It's an exciting advance. Compare today's surgery to thirty, forty years ago. Radical mastectomy removed, not just the breast, but all the muscle, lymph nodes...it was very deforming."

Both Aurora BayCare and Local Five News are proud sponsors of an upcoming American Cancer Society walk.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

It's next Saturday, October 13th at Lambeau Field.

It starts at 9am. For more information, go to the website for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.