Determination of Body Perceptions and Preferences for Breast Reconstruction in Mastectomy Patients

This descriptive study was conducted to determine body perceptions and preferences regarding breast reconstruction among women who had undergone mastectomy.

The research sample consisted of 138 patients who applied to the Breast Endocrine Surgery Outpatient Clinic of a public training and research hospital, had previously undergone mastectomy, and had not received breast reconstruction or oncoplastic breast surgery. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher and the Body-Cathexis Scale.

Among the participants, 47.9% had been diagnosed at stage II breast cancer, and 76.1% had undergone modified radical mastectomy with axillary dissection. It was found that 44.9% of the patients used an external breast prosthesis, and although 65.2% had received information about breast reconstruction, 37.0% stated that they did not prefer to undergo reconstruction. The mean Body-Cathexis Scale score was 180.1 ± 18.6, indicating a relatively positive body perception. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between body perception and breast reconstruction preference (P > .05). Preferences for breast reconstruction were significantly associated with place of residence, prior information received, body mass index, and nutritional habits (P < .05).

The findings suggest that breast reconstruction preference rates among patients are low and that the level of awareness regarding reconstruction remains inadequate. Therefore, it is recommended that patients and their families receive education and counseling about breast reconstruction starting from the time of diagnosis, and that multidisciplinary community-based educational initiatives be implemented to raise awareness of reconstruction options.