High Risk Women are Extremely Satisfied With Breast Reconstruction After Preventative Mastectomy Procedure
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High Risk Women are Extremely Satisfied With Breast Reconstruction After Preventative Mastectomy Procedure
Produces Favorable Results; Improves Body Image
(press release from ASPS)
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. The thought of developing breast cancer is scary enough for many high-risk women without facing the hard decision to have their breasts removed to ensure they do not develop the disease. Now, women can be more secure in their decision to undergo a preventative mastectomy knowing they will more than likely be pleased with their new breasts after immediate reconstruction, according to a study published in the August issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). In fact, many high-risk women who have breast reconstruction report an improved body image after surgery.
More than 70 percent of women who had immediate breast reconstruction after preventative mastectomy reported they were either extremely satisfied or satisfied with the results of their breast reconstruction, according to the study. More than half of women reported a change in their body image, with the large majority reporting an improvement. Nearly 70,000 women had breast reconstruction in 2003, according to ASPS statistics.
Preventative mastectomy and subsequent breast reconstruction are major surgeries. Women want to be assured they will feel whole after having these elective procedures which are deemed necessary,said John Semple, MD, ASPS member and co-author of the study. This is the first study of its kind that reports on women?s satisfaction with reconstruction following preventative mastectomy. Much to our delight, most women are pleased with the results of their breast reconstruction and a good majority even experience an improved body image after the surgery.
According to the study, 16 percent of women who had post-surgical complications such as infection or hardening of scars were less satisfied with the results of their breast reconstruction. Additionally, women who overestimated their risk of developing breast cancer and continued to worry about developing the disease after preventative mastectomy had lower levels of satisfaction with reconstruction. The type of mastectomy and reconstruction had no effect on patients? satisfaction levels.
Satisfaction levels with these types of procedures can be largely psychological for many women, said Dr. Semple. Understandably, women who have exaggerated fears about breast cancer risk may experience psychological distress that may make them dissatisfied with both mastectomy and breast reconstruction. It is important to ensure that women have a realistic understanding of their personal breast cancer risk and proper psychological support.
High-risk women who are not comfortable undergoing preventative mastectomy can still reduce their risk of developing the disease by having breast reduction, which could lower their chance of developing breast cancer between 50 to 70 percent, according to a study in the June 2004 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
ASPS, founded in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world and the foremost authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. For referrals to ABPS-certified plastic surgeons in your area and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, call the ASPS at (888) 4-PLASTIC (1-888-475-2784) or visit www.plasticsurgery.org.
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