title: Correlates of the desire for improved cosmetic results after breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy in breast cancer patients.
abstract: The aim of this survey was to evaluate correlates for the patient's desire for surgical improvement of the cosmetic outcome after the primary operation for breast cancer. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a single follow-up outpatient clinic using a questionnaire. Patients were asked to assess their degree of satisfaction with the cosmetic results of their primary surgery and to state if they would like to undergo a further breast surgery to improve the appearance. Patients' characteristics were correlated with this desire. After breast-conserving surgery, 21.6% of the patients stated that they desired surgical improvement, in comparison with 29.8% of the patients who underwent mastectomy. In the latter group, the desire for improvement remained constant up to 5years after the initial operation, whereas it declined in the group of patients after breast-conserving surgery. Furthermore, a younger age and the perception that the appearance negatively influences femininity, partnership or sexual life were associated with a desire for further surgery. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy can be discussed with the patients even after a long follow-up, especially when the appearance seems to influence partnership issues.
authors.affiliation: University Breast Center for Franconia, Erlangen University Hospital, Universitaetsstrasse 21-23, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Mayada R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bani
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beckmann
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lux
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rauh
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eder
authors.forename: Hiba A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Bani A
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Breuel
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: Matthias W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beckmann
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fasching
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D001828:Body Image; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome