The Latvian Microsurgery Center invites women to apply for free breast reconstruction surgery by November 15, 2021

Given that the state-funded breast reconstruction program has not been reinstated, the Latvian Microsurgery Center (LMC) is continuing the campaign it launched last year, during which five women who have survived breast cancer will undergo free breast reconstruction surgeries.

In 2020, LMC performed breast reconstruction surgery free of charge for seven women from various regions of Latvia.

“I am very pleased that Latvian women have begun to bring this issue to the forefront over the past two years; they are no longer afraid or shy about openly sharing their painful experiences, and this is influencing both public opinion and political decisions,” comments LMC Director Dr. med. Kalvis Pastars. “Until dedicated funding is allocated for breast reconstruction and all breast cancer patients in Latvia have the opportunity to live a full life after a mastectomy, we are keeping our promise—we are continuing our charity campaign, through which we will perform breast reconstructions free of charge for five breast cancer patients,” says K. Pastars.

Thanks to the courage and determination of breast cancer patients, as well as public support, more than 13,000 citizens’ votes were collected on the manabalss.lv portal. Through active involvement with the Latvian Women’s Non-Governmental Organizations Cooperation Network, the women’s associations VITA and Dzīvības Koks, the charity foundation Rozā vilciens, the Ombudsman’s Office, as well as the Ministry of Health, the National Health Service, and the Saeima’s Committee on Social and Labor Affairs, an agreement has been reached to reinstate the breast reconstruction program in 2022. The proposal has now been submitted to the government and the Saeima for review.
Latvia is the only EU country without a state budget allocation for breast reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction is the only way for women to fully return to their normal lives, reduce or even completely eliminate complications associated with breast cancer treatment, and help patients regain a full quality of life.

Leading specialists at the Latvian Microsurgery Center will perform reconstructive surgery this year on five patients who, following treatment for breast cancer —surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination thereof—and who have no contraindications for surgery and minimal other health risk factors.

Free consultations will be provided to any patient who needs reconstruction of one or both breasts. The center invites women to submit their applications along with a brief personal statement.

Patients will be consulted and operated on by the center’s experienced specialists—microsurgeons and certified plastic surgeons with extensive experience in a wide range of reconstructive techniques: Dr. med. Kalvis Pastars, Dr. Haralds Adovičs, Dr. Gundars Krauklis, Dr. Jānis Zariņš, Dr. Nonna Tomiševa, Dr. Māris Krūmiņš, and Dr. Marta Taurīte.

Women who need and wish to receive a free consultation with a doctor and the opportunity to undergo free breast reconstruction, are asked to apply by November 5, 2021, by calling +371 28306203 or sending an email to registratura@mcl.lv.

The Center’s specialists would be delighted to receive a letter from the patient in which she shares her life story and her victory over this difficult illness. Please send your letter to the Latvian Microsurgery Center’s email address, centre@mcl.lv, or by mail to: Brīvības gatve 410, Riga, LV-1024.

Free consultations and surgery dates will be determined based on an assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Every year, approximately 1,200 women in Latvia are diagnosed with breast cancer. In about 30 percent of cases, the cancer is diagnosed at a late stage. Since 2009, when the breast reconstruction program was suspended, no funding has been secured to reinstate it.