The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook

Kathy Steligo is a freelance business and health writer who has had more than a nodding acquaintance with breast cancer.She describes her motivation for writing The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook:

"Many cancer patients say their disease is a learning experience. That's certainly been the case with my own breast cancer. I've had five biopsies, two lumpectomies, eight weeks of radiation, a sentinel node biopsy, genetic counseling and genetic testing. Oh, and bilateral reconstruction, not once, but twice: once with expansion and saline implants and again to replace the implants with a GAP flap.

"While I would never have chosen these particular opportunities for learning, each one, in its own way, has given me more insight into the disease, into myself, and compassion for other women who lose their breasts.

"When I went looking for reconstructive options, I hoped to find a book like this. I found plenty of books on breast cancer. Some provided a cursory chapter or two about reconstruction, but none had the comprehensive information I needed. I wanted an objective, single source that didn't favor one technique over the other; something that translated the technical terms and procedures into understandable concepts, and explained the practical aspects of recovery and life after mastectomy. That single source didn't exist. And that's why I wrote this book--to share what I've learned with you and other women who wonder what reconstruction is really like.

"To my own mountain of research, I added information from clinical studies and medical journals, and perspectives from oncologists, surgeons, nurses, and other medical professionals. More than 500 women took the time to share their own experiences and offer information they wished they had before reconstruction; many of their comments are included."

In addition to The Breast Reconstruction Guidebook, Kathy:

is co-author of Confronting Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (Johns Hopkins 2012)

is editor-at-large for Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE).

contributes regularly to The Breast Care Site (http://www.thebreastcaresite.com).

counsels women about their reconstructive options and conducts breast reconstruction seminars.

provides writing workshops.

writes for a variety of small businesses, physicians and health organizations.

offers ghostwriting services.

Kathy is available to discuss your business and health writing needs, including brochures, patient materials, web content, and anything else you need.

Kathy lives in Northern California.