Scientists in Melbourne are now all set to begin the trail of a breakthrough new surgery which is aimed at helping women who lose their breasts as a result of surgery for breast cancer. In addition to being a definite medical breakthrough, the trail, if successful, could also change the face of cosmetic breast surgery forever. The experimental stem cell breast-growing technique is officially being referred to as Neopec.

It has been estimated that as many as 5,000 women across Australia lose their breasts to cancer surgery every year and the trail is offering new hope to all of them. The first five women who have taken part in the experiment will undergo surgery at the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery, and will be implanted with rapidly multiplying fat cells which are expected to shape into a breast over time.

Institute director Professor Wayne Morrison said that "using the stem cells of our own fat" to revive body parts was "a huge step forward".

The trail has a study period of nearly 3 years, after which its success will be measured. If successful, it can immediately be used for cancer patients, but its entry into the cosmetic reconstruction world could take up-to a decade, as has been confirmed by Professor Morrison.