Only one in 10 Aussie women opt for breast reconstruction after mastectomy AFTER a horror 2014, breast cancer survivor Lisa Eichner knows she's "got a lot of living left." So opting to have a breast reconstruction following her double mastectomy was an empowering choice. The 42-year-old mother-of-two was diagnosed with breast cancer on Valentine's Day, had a lumpectomy and went through 18 weeks of chemotherapy before opting to have the surgery to remove both her breasts. Today, she's completely clear of cancer and last week had a double breast reconstruction. But Ms Eichner, of Gawler, is in the minority. Figures released by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons ahead of Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day today reveal just one in 10 Australian women opt for the reconstruction post mastectomy. This is compared with one in two Americans and one in five British women. "For me, I looked at myself and I'm 42 and I wear a bikini and I still want to go out," Ms Eichner said. When you have chemo you lose your hair, I'd lost a third of my breast and I felt like everything had been taken away. For Ms Eichner, the choice to have the reconstruction was an easy one. "I think I've got a lot of living left," she said. I thought I'm going to go through with this surgery and end up with two new breasts that are going to look good and be healthy. It's been a long nine months but for me - it was an important thing to have it done and dusted in 2014 and start the new year afresh. Professor Rodney Cooter, a plastic surgeon in Adelaide, said more awareness about the option of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy would see more women consider it. "We're trying to do that ... by providing information to women through cancer groups and through GPs," he said. Prof Cooter said having the surgery was an important step for some women. "They (breasts) are a very important part of the human form and most women that we've reviewed have said the reconstruction has had a positive impact on their life," he said. It's not just about the physical shape ... it's being able to wear nice clothing ... being able to go swimming and get changed in front of other people, they find they feel much more comfortable in those situations. Originally published as Lisa's breast reconstruction part of her new life