Patient's Education Before Mastectomy Influences the Rate of Reconstructive Surgery

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Plastic Surgery
• Patient Education

Background:

• Breast reconstruction (BR) is recommended for mastectomy patients but underutilized.
• Patient awareness and decision-making regarding BR require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient awareness and interest in breast reconstruction following mastectomy.
• To identify factors influencing the decision to undergo or decline breast reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• A survey of 50 women treated with mastectomy was conducted.
• The survey included 20 questions covering BR awareness, interest, and decision-making factors.
• Statistical analysis (chi-squared test) was used to evaluate influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Only 22.4% of surveyed women underwent BR, while 53.1% were not interested.
• Pre-surgery information and reimbursement details significantly impacted BR interest (p<0.05).
• Younger age (<55 years) was a significant factor favoring BR (p<0.05).
• Primary reasons for refusal included fear of complications, prioritizing recovery, and perceived advanced age.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive pre-operative information on breast reconstruction is vital for mastectomy patients.
• Addressing patient concerns and providing clear details on benefits and reimbursement can enhance BR uptake.
• Patient education positively influences quality of life throughout and after cancer treatment.