Factors Influencing the Rate of Post-Mastectomy Breast Reconstruction in a Canadian Teaching Hospital

Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) improves psychosocial well-being, quality of life, and body image. Reconstruction rates vary widely (up to 42% in the United States), but the few Canadian studies available report rates of 3.8% to 7.9%. We sought to evaluate the current state of breast reconstruction in 1 Canadian teaching hospital and factors determining patients' access to reconstruction.

We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy alone or mastectomy and reconstruction at a Canadian hospital between 2010 and 2013. We calculated rates of breast reconstruction and compared patient characteristics between the 2 groups, and then performed a multiple logistic regression to determine factors increasing the odds of receiving breast reconstruction.

A total of 152 patients underwent 154 total or modified radical mastectomies. We obtained a rate of PMBR of 21%, 14% immediate reconstruction, and 8% delayed. Statistical analysis showed that compared to patients with mastectomy alone, patients who received PMBR were significantly younger, with a larger percentage having bilateral mastectomies, non-invasive breast cancer, and residing further from the hospital. Patients less than 50 years old and those with bilateral mastectomies had significantly greater odds of having a reconstruction.

Our Canadian tertiary care institution has a high volume of breast surgery and an active breast reconstruction team. However, the rate of immediate reconstruction remains low compared to similar centers in the United States. We recommend a united effort to increase awareness regarding PMBR and address common misconceptions hindering patients' access to breast reconstruction.

Epidemiologic study, Level III.