Why Women Who Have Mastectomy Decide Not to Have Breast Reconstruction?
Journal Title: Polish Journal of Surgery - Year 2014, Vol 86, Issue 10
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy occurring in women. The treatment of breast cancer is a complex, multistep process involving surgical treatment, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and very often rehabilitation. After the treatment of the underlying disease, or still in its course, there remains a problem of deformation of the chest. Although the number of women opting for breast reconstructive surgery increases every year, the number of such procedures in Poland is low. The aim of the study was to investigate the reasons why women after amputation of the breast due to cancer are not likely to undergo breast reconstructive surgery. Material and methods. The study comprised 73 women, residents of the province of Silesia, aged between 37 and 79 years, who had undergone mastectomy for malignancy in the years 1987-2013. Results. From all of the reasons given by women for refraining from breast reconstruction, the most frequently pointed was the fear of being subjected to further surgery (38.3%). 23 women (31.5%) admitted that they were also afraid of postoperative pain. Similarly, a common response (35.6%) was that it is not essential for their mental state, and 30% of respondents fully accepted their appearance after mastectomy. Concern about the effect of failed reconstruction was reported by 24.6% of the women, and the fear that the surgery could negatively affect the process of cancer treatment by 27.4% of respondents. Lack of information about the capabilities and knowledge of breast reconstruction methods was not an important factor in decision-making. Conclusions. Most of the surveyed women who abandon breast reconstruction surgery, make this decision on the basis of more than one reasons. Fear of undergoing a second surgical procedure and pain related to it were the most important reasons for the refusal of breast reconstruction. An important factor in the decision to desist from breast reconstruction is the age of the patients.
Authors and Affiliations
Tomasz Zieliński, Katarzyna Lorenc-Podgórska, Bogusław Antoszewski
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP74345
- DOI 10.2478/pjs-2014-0081
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
Circulating Tumor Cells In Colorectal Cancer*
Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease complicated by Barrett’s esophagus
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for gastroesophageal reflux disease complicated by Barrett’s esophagus in 46 patients. Materials and methods. A diagnostic...
Sexual dysfunctions following low anterior resection of the rectum in rectal cancer patients
Introduction. Low anterior resection of the rectum (LAR) is a treatment of choice in patients with diagnosed low rectal cancer. Rectal cancer surgery has a close relationship with the urinary-sexual organs and also with...
PRZEDRUK POLSKIEGO TŁUMACZENIA ARTYKUŁU Z CZASOPISMA ANNALS OF SURGERY ZA ZGODĄ REDAKTORA NACZELNEGO: Annals of Surgery: Vol. 266, Nr 5, November 2017; 703 - 705: Czy współczesny chirurg jest jeszcze mistrzem, czy jest zależny tylko od postępu technologicznego?
Początki mojego kształcenia chirurgicznego przypadły na lata, kiedy Polska należąc do bloku komunistycznego była izolowana od kontaktów ze światem, mówimy dzisiaj, że znajdowała się za żelazną kurtyną. Dotyczyło to całeg...
Influence of Atheromatous Lesions in the Ilio-Femoral Segment on the Occurrence of Stentgraft Thrombosis After Endovascular Treatment of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm