A new guide advising women of the options open to them after undergoing cancer-related breast surgery has been launched.

Restoring Body Image after Surgery was devised by the Marie Keating Foundation after a major information gap was identified. According to one of the guide's key contributors, Mr Peter Meagher, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the Beacon Hospital, many women 'simply were not aware of the numerous choices available to them fowllowing their breast surgery'.

"The beauty of this guide is that it affords women the chance to go over the relevant information, which is laid out in a clear and comprehensive way, in their own time. They can make an educated, well informed decision about the option best suited to them," he explained.

Topics covered by the guide include 'what should I ask the surgeon', 'what is a mastectomy bra' and 'what types of breast reconstruction are there'. A list of bra and prosthesis suppliers is also included.

Copies of the guide are now available free of charge from breast care nurses and specialist centres throughout the country. Copies can also be downloaded from www.mariekeating.ie.