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Cheng HM, McMillan C, Lipa JE, et al. A Qualitative Assessment of the Journey to Delayed Breast Reconstruction. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2017;25(3):157-162doi: 10.1177/2292550317716124.
Cheng, H. M., McMillan, C., Lipa, J. E., & Snell, L. (2017). A Qualitative Assessment of the Journey to Delayed Breast Reconstruction. Plastic surgery (Oakville, Ont.), 25(3), 157-162. https://doi.org/10.1177/2292550317716124
Cheng, Ho Man, et al. "A Qualitative Assessment of the Journey to Delayed Breast Reconstruction." Plastic surgery (Oakville, Ont.) vol. 25,3 (2017): 157-162. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/2292550317716124
Cheng HM, McMillan C, Lipa JE, Snell L. A Qualitative Assessment of the Journey to Delayed Breast Reconstruction. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2017 Aug;25(3):157-162. doi: 10.1177/2292550317716124. Epub 2017 Jul 03. PMID: 29026820; PMCID: PMC5626209.
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Plast Surg (Oakv). 2017 Aug;25(3):157-162. doi: 10.1177/2292550317716124. Epub 2017 Jul 03.

A Qualitative Assessment of the Journey to Delayed Breast Reconstruction.

Plastic surgery (Oakville, Ont.)

Ho Man Cheng, Catherine McMillan, Joan E Lipa, Laura Snell

Affiliations

  1. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  2. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 29026820 PMCID: PMC5626209 DOI: 10.1177/2292550317716124

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Canada has low immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) rates compared to the United States and Europe. Breast cancer survivors live with mastectomy defects sometimes for years, and this represents an area for improvement in cancer care.

PURPOSE: This study qualitatively assessed (1) information provided about breast reconstruction at the time of cancer diagnosis among women seeking delayed breast reconstruction (DBR) and (2) referral practices for plastic surgery consultation for DBR.

METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients seen in consultation for DBR at a single Canadian tertiary care centre completed questionnaires regarding their experience in seeking breast reconstruction. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted to further explore themes identified through questionnaires. Questionnaire responses and interview transcripts were analyzed for recurring themes using standard qualitative techniques.

RESULTS: A significant portion of women (43%) was interested in reconstruction prior to mastectomy, yet IBR was infrequently discussed (14%) or discouraged by their oncologic surgeons (33%). Common patient reasons for not pursuing IBR were referring physician objection and not having adequate knowledge. Women expressed wanting to discuss reconstruction at the time of cancer diagnosis. Half of the patients had attended another consultation, but the initial plastic surgeon either did not offer procedures for which these women were candidates or had prohibitively long surgical wait times.

CONCLUSION: Lack of information about reconstructive options at the time of cancer diagnosis and perceived access barriers to plastic surgeons may contribute to underutilization of IBR in Canada. Access to breast reconstruction can be improved by reducing inefficiencies in plastic surgery referrals.

Keywords: access barriers; breast cancer; delayed breast reconstruction; immediate breast reconstruction

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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