title: Significance of the breast to the individual and society.
abstract: The breast is the most important external identification of femininity, and the loss of a breast can have devastating psychological effects on a woman. A woman who has lost a breast through cancer may feel self-conscious, insecure, inferior to other women, or undesirable to men. These body image concerns are key reasons why a woman will be motivated to pursue breast reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, PACU, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D009042:Motivation