Breast reconstruction after mastectomy: a survey of general surgeons in Singapore.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is the leading malignancy among women in Singapore. In the West as many as 30% of eligible patients undergo some form of reconstruction, but in Singapore breast reconstruction is not often performed.


METHODS
A postal survey of general surgeons in Singapore (response rate of 46%) was conducted to ascertain the factors influencing their decision to refer for reconstruction and the possible concerns they had about reconstruction.


RESULTS
Age, anticipated psychosocial morbidity and the need for adjuvant therapy were the most important factors identified. The survey also found that almost 30% of respondents were unsure of whether reconstruction would mask recurrence. Despite this, almost 80% of respondents felt that reconstruction was worth the effort, but 55% (compared to less than 20% in the West) felt that patients did not want reconstruction despite being advised of its availability.


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of information and the perception that patients would not want reconstruction may be important reasons for the low emphasis placed on the role of breast reconstruction in post-mastectomy patients.
Lim
J
J
Changi General Hospital, Department of Surgery, Singapore. dr.jlim@pacific.net.sg
Low
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Hoe
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D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D009017:Morbidity; D018579:Patient Selection; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012846:Singapore; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019366:Western World