Attitude of Pakistani Women towards Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: The trends in breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer have changed significantly in the western
world but in our part of the world, breast disease and reconstruction are still considered a taboo. This study assesses the attitude
of breast cancer patients planned to undergo mastectomy towards breast reconstruction; whether they are familiar with the
availability of such procedure and if they would opt for it given the option.

Methods: 150 patients (75 in one-month after mastectomy and 75 in one-year after mastectomy group) were included in this
cross-sectional study carried out at tertiary care hospitals’ breast clinics in Lahore, Pakistan.

Results: Majority of patients would opt out of breast reconstruction, in both one month and one-year post-mastectomy group
(93.9% and 90.7%) respectively. More patients (61.3%) in one-year post-mastectomy were found familiar with methods of
reconstruction while only 35% patients knew about it in one-year post-mastectomy patients.

Conclusion: Majority of the women diagnosed with breast cancer do not want to undergo breast reconstruction surgery.
Specific approaches are needed to address at the patient level, the negative opinion regarding breast reconstruction for women’s
own emotional health.

Keywords: breast cancer, breast reconstruction, decision-making, women.