THE LATVIAN MICROSURGERY CENTER IS INVITING WOMEN TO REGISTER FOR FREE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Given that the state-funded breast reconstruction program has not resumed, the Latvian Microsurgery Center (LKC) is continuing the campaign launched last year, during which five women will receive free breast reconstruction surgery following breast cancer treatment.

2020. In [year], LCM performed free breast reconstruction surgery on 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 and do not hesitate to share their tragic experiences, and this is influencing both public opinion and political decisions,” comments Kalvis Pastars, Director of the LCM and Doctor of Medical Sciences. “Until targeted funding is allocated for breast reconstruction and not all breast cancer patients in Latvia are able to live a full life after a mastectomy, we are keeping our promise —we are continuing the charity campaign we started, through which we will perform breast reconstruction free of charge for five patients who have beaten breast cancer,” says K. Pastars.

Thanks to the courage and determination of breast cancer patients, as well as public support, the manabalss.lv portal collected more than 13,000 votes from Latvian residents in favor of allocating state funding for a breast reconstruction program following breast cancer. With the active participation of the Latvian Women’s Non-Governmental Organizations Network, breast cancer patient support associations VITA and “Dzīvības koks,” the “Rozā vilciens” Charity Foundation, the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as the Ministry of Health, the National Health Service, and the Seimas Committee on Social and Labor Affairs—all of which helped foster a deeper understanding of the issue— an agreement was reached to resume the breast reconstruction program in 2022. The project has now been submitted to the government and the Seimas for review.

Latvia is currently the only EU country that has not been allocated state funding for a breast reconstruction program.

Breast reconstruction is the only way for a woman to fully return to her normal life, reduce or even completely prevent complications associated with breast cancer treatment, and help patients regain a full and fulfilling 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-related risk factors.

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

Patient consultations and surgeries will be performed by the center’s experienced specialists—microsurgeons and certified plastic surgeons with significant experience in the use of a wide range of reconstructive techniques: Dr. med. Kalvis Pastars, Haralds Adovičs, Gundars Krauklis, Jānis Zariņš, Nonna Tomiševa, Māris Krūmiņš, and Marta Taurīte.

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

The Center’s specialists would be happy to receive letters from patients in which they share stories from their lives and their triumphs over serious illnesses. Please send letters to the Latvian Microsurgery Center via email at centre@mcl.lv or by mail to: Brīvības gatve 410, Riga, LV-1024.

The schedule for free consultations and surgeries will be determined based on the current COVID-19 situation in the country.

Each year, approximately 1,200 women in Latvia are diagnosed with breast cancer. In about 30% of these cases, the cancer is detected at a late stage.

The breast reconstruction program has been suspended since 2009, and no funds have been allocated to resume it during all these years.

For more information:

Jānis Bendiks, Executive Director of the Latvian Microsurgery Center

Cell: 25211239. Email: registratura@mcl.lv