Why it matters
Preserving the natural breast may support body image, confidence and quality of life for suitable patients, while keeping cancer treatment priorities central.
01Breast conservation
Treat the cancer. Preserve the breast where appropriate.
Breast conservation is an approach to breast cancer surgery that aims to remove cancer safely while preserving the natural breast wherever appropriate. For many women, this can reduce the physical and emotional impact of treatment, support body image and improve confidence during survivorship.
More than lumpectomy
A coordinated approach to cancer control and quality of life.
Modern breast conservation includes careful imaging, surgical planning, margin assessment, oncoplastic reshaping, partial breast reconstruction, radiotherapy coordination and shared decision-making. The goal is to combine cancer control with quality of life.
Who may be suitable
Suitability depends on the cancer’s size and location, breast anatomy, the ability to obtain clear margins, other treatments required, health and personal preferences.
A shared decision
Patients should understand breast conservation, mastectomy and reconstruction options, including their possible benefits, limitations, risks and recovery considerations.
The role of oncoplastic surgery
Oncoplastic breast surgery combines cancer surgery with reconstructive principles.
Remove the tumour. Reshape the breast. Reduce avoidable deformity.
This approach allows the surgeon to remove the tumour with appropriate margins while reshaping the remaining breast tissue. In selected patients, oncoplastic techniques may allow breast conservation even when a larger volume of tissue needs to be removed. Partial breast reconstruction is tailored to the location and extent of surgery and does not guarantee a particular cosmetic result.
Innovation platform
Improving the breast conservation pathway.
01
REBORN digital education for clearer treatment decisions
02
Intra-operative margin assessment to address avoidable re-operation
03
Low-thermal electrosurgical devices for tissue-conscious surgery
04
Patient-reported outcome measures for recovery and quality of life
05
Clinical test-bedding and medtech translation
Dr Chia’s innovation work is built around a single clinical problem: how to help more suitable women preserve the breast, avoid unnecessary re-operation, and recover with better confidence and quality of life. New approaches require careful evaluation and do not guarantee these outcomes.
Academic & industry collaboration
A translational platform spanning clinical care, engineering, evidence and implementation.
Better margins. Better measurement. Better-informed care.
Technologies that improve margin assessment, surgical precision, tissue preservation, wound healing, cosmesis, patient education and outcome measurement can influence the quality of breast cancer surgery. Clement works with clinical, academic, engineering and industry partners to identify unmet needs, validate solutions in real-world pathways and translate promising technologies into patient-centred care.
“Breast conservation through surgery, education and innovation.”