Mastectomy in Philippines

What you need to know about Mastectomy in Philippines

A mastectomy is a way of treating breast cancer by removing the entire breast through surgery. It’s often performed when a woman cannot be treated with breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), which spares most of the breast. Often a patient may choose a mastectomy over breast-conserving surgery for personal reasons. Women at very high risk of a recurrence, sometimes have a double mastectomy, the removal of both breasts.

A prophylactic mastectomy is reserved for those with a very high risk of breast cancer, which is determined by a strong family history of breast cancer or the presence of certain genetic mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer.

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MyMediTravel offers 4 Medical Centers in Philippines, some of which offer Mastectomy procedures - see below for the complete list, along with estimated prices. The price of a Mastectomy can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined based on medical records and an in-person assessment with the doctor. For a bespoke quote and to discuss further with a member of our patient support team, Click Here to submit your Free Quote.

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Mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your breasts in order to treat breast cancer, Paget’s disease of the breast or gynecomastia. Gynaecomastia is a clinical condition in which a male develops abnormally large breasts and the whole breast tissue is removed, known as a complete mastectomy. In a more recent technique, the skin is preserved, known as a skin-sparing mastectomy. With a nipple-sparing mastectomy, only breast tissue is removed; the skin, nipple, and areola are preserved. While in the case of breast cancer, only the affected breast is removed which can be constructed later on by breast reconstruction surgery. In some cases, only the tumor is removed, known as lumpectomy. Mastectomy can be of two types:

1. Unilateral mastectomy: in this type of mastectomy, only one breast is removed which contains tumors.
2. Bilateral mastectomy: in this, both the breasts are completely removed.

The Procedure

You have to be in fasting conditions for 8 to 12 hours before surgery. The surgeon makes you lay in the supine position and you are given general anesthesia. After this, an elliptical incision is given around your breast. Fat and breast tissue are removed along with lymph nodes according to the purpose of mastectomy. Depending upon the type of surgery, skin or nipple and areola are preserved. Incisions are stitched after the procedure and small drainage tubes are fixed to remove excess fluid and blood. Bandages are applied over these stitches. If the mastectomy is performed for breast cancer, it is followed by radiation therapy and sometimes, reconstruction surgery.

Length of Stay in Philippines

Unilateral mastectomy is an outpatient procedure taking between 1 and 3 hours in the operating theatre. After this, you're moved to a recovery room where your vitals are monitored. If everything goes fine, you may leave the hospital on the same day. For complete mastectomy, additional time is needed for the operation. Also, an overnight stay in the hospital is required. If it is followed by reconstruction, 2 to 3 days stay is required. A 14 day stay in Philippines is necessary after the surgery. In this period, you will have a follow-up. Pain killers are given to help you manage pain. During this duration, your health conditions are monitored regularly and stitches are removed in 10 to 14 days. You can go home when allowed by your doctor.

Recovery Time

It can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover from a double mastectomy. This period varies in accordance with the type of mastectomy. You need to recover both physically and mentally and you'll need at least 2 to 3 weeks off work, longer if your work is physical. Allow 3 weeks before driving again. You can start doing routine chores in 2 to 3 weeks. Your incisions would have swelling, redness, and bruises around them. There will be numbness in the area of wounds. Scarring will take time to fade away and you shouldn't expect them to disappear completely. You can begin wearing a fitting bra 6 to 8 weeks after the operation.

Success rate

The survival rate for a breast cancer patient has been found to increase tremendously after a mastectomy. According to a study, 81.2% of women who went through a double mastectomy survived beyond 10 years. Also, 79.9% of the women with single mastectomy lived beyond 10 years. Sometimes, recurrence can occur leading to malignancy, this decreases the success rate. In the case of mastectomy for gynecomastia, 90% success rate is recorded. Some patients can suffer from post-mastectomy pain syndrome or PMPS.

After Care

Following points should be considered:

• Attend regular check-ups after the surgery.
• Take your medicines regularly as and when prescribed by the doctor.
• Follow a healthy diet plan made by an expert.
• Spend less time alone. Someone should be there for you to help you with your chores.
• Do not use padded bras or prosthetics for some time.
• Avoid taking a bath in the early few days. A wet bandage can cause infection.
• Be vigilant, look for the signs of infections, redness, soreness, etc. Consult your doctor immediately if you find any of them.
• Abstain from sexual activity till allowed by your physician.
• Give yourself plenty of time to recover.
• Do some exercises so that your arms may not get stiff.
• Do not lift heavy objects or children, it may remove your stitches before the due time.
• Avoid excessive movement and keep your stuff near you.

Alternatives to Mastectomy

Following are some effective alternatives to mastectomy:

• Lumpectomy: in this procedure, only the tumor along with some surrounding tissue is removed. This is suitable for those patients whose cancer has been identified in the early stages. In this way, the whole breast is preserved, removing the tumor only.  
• Radiation therapy: in this therapy, ionizing radiations are used to kill malignant cells causing breast cancer. It works by damaging the cellular DNA, hence stopping the cell division and metastasis. This therapy is very effective in case of localized cancer because it can cause the complete destruction of the tumor.
• Cancer Immunotherapy: it works by artificially stimulating the immune system to treat cancer. Cancer cells contain antigenic sites which are detected by antibodies of your immune system. Antibodies combine with antigens to kill and destroy them. Hence, the spread of cancer is prevented.

Before and After Mastectomy

It depends upon the purpose for which you went through a mastectomy. In the case of a breast tumor, if you do not go for an operation, it may metastasize, leading to more malignancy. For gynaecomastia, abnormally large breasts can damage your physical appearance. After the surgery, all these problems are resolved. The spread of cancer is stopped and tumors are removed. Excessive breast tissues are excised and your chest is given a normal male like contour.

Find top clinics for Mastectomy in Philippines at the lowest price. Compare costs & reviews of 4 clinics, specialized in Mastectomy procedures in Philippines.

Mastectomy in and around Philippines

About the Philippines

The Philippines is an island nation in the heart of Southeast Asia. It extends from the south of China to the northern tip of Borneo. It is also known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas’, the Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands. It comprises three main island groups, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Manila, the capital city, lies in the southwestern part of Luzon. Quezon City is the largest and most populous city in the country.

It is a prominent English-speaking country and was once a colony of Spain and the United States. It’s the most westernized country in Asia. However, its culture is a mix of indigenous Malay culture and Spanish and American heritage.

Besides being one of the top tourist destinations, the Philippines is also an emerging medical tourism destination. It rank’s in 8th position among popular medical tourism countries and more than 10,000 medical tourists visit the Philippines every year for various treatments. The following factors all contribute to the progress of medical tourism within the Philippines.

• Expert and board-certified medical professionals with international qualifications and training.
• Internationally-accredited hospitals with state-of-art medical equipment and modern facilities.
• Affordable costs compared to advanced nations
• Inexpensive accommodation
• The English language is widely-spoken making communication with the Medical team and patients easy.
• Tropical climate helps in the recovery and recuperation

The most common and popular procedures and treatments in the Philippines are cosmetic surgery, weight-loss surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, and dentistry. As of late, people come here even for liver and kidney transplant surgeries, and cardiac surgeries due to the cost advantage it provides.

For example, a Breast Augmentation surgery which costs between $7,500-$8,500 in the US costs only between $3,000-$3,500 in the Philippines which would be a saving of about 58% to 60%. Also, a coronary artery bypass surgery costing $70,000-$133,000 in the US, will only cost between $11,500-$17,500 and would result in a saving of almost 83% to 86%. Even after adding travel and living expenses, it still makes it a, very good value for the patient to get medical care in the Philippines and several of the more popular Hospital and Clinics are located in Manila and are St. Luke's Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City and Asian Hospital and Medical Center

Popular Parts of Philippines

The Philippines has a total land area of 116,000 square miles, with a large population of 107,791,044 million people. It has many pristine beaches, mountains, rainforests, islands, heritage towns, and monuments, With hotels, food, and transportation very affordable, it’s also a good budget tourism destination.

The following are some of the most beautiful places to visit in the Philippines:

• El Nido –is known for its white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters and coral reefs and is the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago which is a group of islands. The laid-back town of El Nido is a base for island-hopping tours, and kayaking trips to mountainous Cadlao Island, El Nido is situated on the northern edge of mainland Palawan.
• Coron – Is also situated on Palawan and is known for its warm waters, ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, and deep diving. The breathtaking Kayangan Lake, surrounded by karst walls is a visual treat. It is the cleanest lake in the Philippines.
• Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park –is also part of Palawan and is situated to the southeast, in the Sulu Sea. It’s home to countless coral reefs, and expansive breeds of fish, dolphins, sharks, and whales and It is a great water destination for divers.
• Banaue Rice Terraces – They lie within the mountainous region of Cordilleras. The rice terraces are about 2,000 years old, a result of the labor of the predecessors of the region and It provides efficient space for people to farm on.
• Intramuros – The walled historical area of Manila contains the remains of a bygone era with its cobblestone streets, and preserved remnants. Walking tours and carromata rides (two-wheeled box-like vehicle drawn by a single native pony) are popular here.
• Mount Mayon –is a 2,500-meter-tall active volcano. It’s famed for its perfect symmetry and accurate conical shape. You can enjoy the view from some distance or experience it at close quarters, by hiking for a couple of days.
• Hinatuan Enchanted River – Locals believe the river has mystical qualities. They feel fairies and engkanto (other nature spirits) guard the enchanting blue-green river. The unknown source of clear saltwater is another mystery surrounding the river.

Boracay and Siargao are other popular tourist spots with their powdery white sand and water activities.

Weather and Climate in the Philippines

The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate. The general weather is hot and very humid. It experiences only three seasons:

1. Summer Season – A very hot and dry summer season is between March and May.
2. Wet Season – Rainy Season is between June and November when the south-west monsoon is most active. In this period, typhoons are common, especially during September and October.
3. Dry Season – There is a cool and dry season between December and February, due to the cold winds brought in by northeastern monsoon.

The average temperature of the Philippines ranges between 25°C and 32°C (78-90°F) with humidity of about 77%. High altitude areas are much cooler, with night temperatures dropping to 20°C (68°F). The average annual temperature is around 26.6°C (79.9°F)

Getting Around in the Philippines

The Philippines being an island nation, most international travelers reach the country by air. The country has many international airports in various cities including Cebu, Davao, Manila, Kalibo, and Angeles.

Many airlines operate flights in and out of Manila to several destinations. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia are the national carriers of the Philippines. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific and many middle-eastern airlines that operate direct flights to Manila. The Southeast Asian cities of Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City have wide connectivity to Manila and Cebu. You can reach Manila direct from London by flying Philippine Airlines. US travelers can fly via Japan to the Philippines.

Cebu Pacific, Tigerair Philippines, and PAL Express are some low-cost carriers that service domestic destinations in the country.

For transport within the Philippines, you have Jeepneys which are WWII- army jeeps converted into transport jeeps. They are cheap, open and usually fully-loaded with passengers which are normally cramped with 14 to 20 people sitting shoulder to shoulder depending on the length of the vehicle They operate as collective taxis, picking up and dropping passengers within cities.

Tourist Visas in the Philippines

Travelers from more than 150 countries that have diplomatic relations with the Philippines can enter the country without a tourist visa. EU, Australia, Japan, and the US are a few visa-exempt countries. In general, you can stay for up to 30 days, provided your passport is valid for at least six months after your arrival. Showing proof of onward and return journeys is compulsory.

Citizens of India, China and Egypt are some of the countries that will need to get a visa in advance to enter the Philippines.

Additional Information

• Philippine Peso or Piso (PHP) is the official currency of the Philippines. Its subdivision is 100 centavos or centimos for a Peso. The current exchange rate for one US dollar is 51.99 PHP. You will be able to use US Dollars in Metro Manila and possibly in Cebu city. In other areas, it’s better to have Peso for exchange.
• You will find all major banks and plenty of ATMs everywhere. Master and Visa cards are accepted in most businesses.
• Tagalog or Filipino language is the main spoken language. English is also spoken and understood in the Philippines, due to the US influence during its colonization.
• Roman Catholicism is the major religion of the Philippines. 91% of the population are Christians and about 5.5% comprises of Islam religion.
• New Year’s Day, Araw ng Kagitingan, Independence Day, National Hero’s Day, Bonifacio Day and Christmas are some of the important holidays in the Philippines.