Apollo Athenaa’s BRAVE Initiative Inspires Hope and Healing Through awareness on Breast Reconstruction

New Delhi, October 13, 2025: In an endeavour to raise and highlight the importance of breast reconstruction surgery in restoring confidence, dignity, and emotional wellbeing in women recovering from breast cancer, Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre, today organised an Awareness session.

Under the banner name of BRAVE (Breast Reconstruction Awareness, Voice & Education), the session was themed “Beyond Survival: Towards Adding Life to Her Years,”. BRAVE is a movement by Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre, aimed at redefining recovery and restoring dignity. As India’s first forum dedicated exclusively to breast reconstruction, BRAVE 2025 brings together global experts, clinicians, and advocates to place reconstructive surgery at the heart of comprehensive cancer care. Through immersive, real-world discussions and a multidisciplinary approach that spans oncology, genetics, psychology, and surgery, BRAVE focuses on empowering women with awareness, choices, and the confidence to lead fulfilling lives after cancer treatment.

Explaining about the importance of Breast Reconstruction for women undergoing Mastectomy, Dr. Venkat Ramakrishnan – Lead, Plastic & Breast Reconstructive Surgery, Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre said “Breast reconstruction techniques have advanced tremendously. Microsurgical reconstruction, performed at the same time as breast removal using the patient’s own tissue - often tummy fat - adds only about two hours to surgery for a one-sided reconstruction, and has a success rate of over 99% when done by experienced surgeons. It is extremely safe, and never causes risk to patient’s life or cancer. It provides a natural breast that ages with the patient. In some cases, mastectomy and breast reconstruction can also reduce the need for post-surgery radiotherapy. Using abdominal tissue to rebuild the breast also removes excess fat, and enhances the appearance. With greater awareness of these advantages, more women can make informed choices and embrace reconstruction as a vital step toward complete recovery.”

Dr Venkat further added “Breast reconstruction plays a crucial role in holistic healing after mastectomy. It restores not just physical form but also a woman’s self-esteem and emotional balance. Advanced microsurgical and oncoplastic techniques—performed safely by skilled specialists—allow for natural-looking results with minimal risk. Reconstruction helps women reclaim their identity, contributes to psychological recovery, and significantly enhances quality of life. It is, therefore, not merely an aesthetic choice but a vital step in comprehensive cancer care.”

Sharing the story of an entrepreneur, Ms Sophia Raman, Dr. Venkat Ramakrishnan said, “When Ms. Sophia Raman was diagnosed with breast cancer, her world came crashing down. Like most women, her initial focus was purely on survival—beating the disease at any cost. The idea of losing a breast felt like a necessary sacrifice. But after our discussion about reconstruction, she found renewed hope. She chose the DIEP procedure, which restored not only her physical appearance but also her self-confidence. Though recovery was challenging, she emerged emotionally stronger. Today, Sophia stands tall—confident, graceful, and a true symbol of courage and healing.”

Explaining about another patient, Dr Geeta Kadayaprath – Lead, Breast Surgical Oncology & Oncoplastic Surgery, Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre added “When Sunita first came to us, she was heartbroken at the thought of mastectomy. But once we explained that reconstruction could restore her breast, she was visibly relieved. The procedure not only restored her form but also her spirit. She regained her cheerful self and felt empowered to live freely again. This shows the emotional impact that reconstructive surgery can have, it truly gives women a sense of renewal.”

Apollo Athenaa’s mission has always been to blend clinical excellence with compassion through holistic healing. BRAVE serves as both a public awareness and professional education platform—bridging gaps between oncologists, reconstructive surgeons, and allied specialists. By fostering dialogue, shared expertise, and collaboration, Apollo Athenaa continues to strengthen the ecosystem of comprehensive women’s cancer care.

The awareness event concluded with a multidisciplinary panel discussion on integrating reconstruction into standard cancer care. Experts also highlighted that every woman has the right to choose reconstruction and that the medical community must ensure she is informed and supported throughout the process.

About Apollo Athenaa

Apollo Athenaa, a unit of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, is Asia’s first dedicated cancer centre for women, rooted in empathy and powered by science. It is not just a facility—it’s a mission. Apollo Athenaa is envisioned as a safe, specialized space exclusively for women, combining cutting-edge oncology expertise with compassion, dignity, and privacy

Women are the cornerstones of families and communities, and their health directly impacts the strength of the nation. Recognizing the need for timely, specialized, and compassionate care, Apollo has taken a pioneering step forward.

Apollo Athenaa provides comprehensive women-focused cancer care, from preventive screenings and advanced diagnostics to surgical oncology, breast oncoplasty, fertility preservation, and reconstructive care. Supported by multidisciplinary expertise and precision oncology, the centre also offers nutrition, physiotherapy, onco-psychology, and palliative care, ensuring a continuum of services that place women’s health, dignity, and well-being at the forefront.