Breast reconstruction is not the norm after breast cancer surgery

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Surgeons do not refer patients for breast reconstruction on a routine basis.
After surgery to remove either a breast or just a tumor, women can have reconstructive surgery, which may be very helpful in restoring self-esteem and quality of life. But a study from the University of Michigan now reveals that many women who might benefit from breast reconstruction do not get referred for it by their surgeons.

They surveyed 365 surgeons and asked them how often they referred patients considering mastectomy to a plastic surgeon before performing the operation. The study found that 44 per cent of the surgeons admitted referring less than a quarter of their patients to a plastic surgeon. Only 24 per cent of the surgeons referred three quarters or more of their patients for breast reconstruction.

At present, less than 20 per cent of women who could have breast reconstruction actually have the procedure. In this study, many of the surgeons said that they thought women did not want breast reconstruction. Fifty seven per cent said it was not important to patients, 64 per cent thought patients were not interested, and 39 per cent thought patients were concerned about breast reconstruction taking too long. The researchers believe that their findings show that a more multidisciplinary approach to breast surgery is needed and that women should be made aware of all the options open to them.

Source
Cancer online 26th March 2007

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