Nipple-Areola Tattoos: Making the Right Referral.
OBJECTIVE
To examine oncology care providers' knowledge of tattooing options for patients who have elected to have breast reconstruction as part of their breast cancer treatment.  .


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
A large metropolitan cancer center in New York and various locations across the United States .


METHODS
68 oncology care providers who work with women with breast cancer, distributed into two groups.


METHODS
Descriptive statistics were used to summarize online survey responses for the two groups, with inferential comparisons made with logistic regression models .


METHODS
Healthcare profession, discussion of reconstructive tattoo options with patients, knowledge of providers of reconstructive tattoos outside of traditional healthcare settings, and recommendations made to patients .


RESULTS
RNs were significantly less likely to recommend a professional tattoo artist to a patient than non-RNs, despite a similar proportion of both groups believing that a tattoo artist would provide the patient with a better tattoo than healthcare providers (HCPs).


CONCLUSIONS
Additional research is needed to identify education deficits in HCPs regarding tattoo reconstruction options. HCPs are recommending potentially substandard options for nipple-areola tattooing, even though many believe that tattoo artists, who are outside of the traditional healthcare setting, could provide better outcomes for patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses and other HCPs require additional education about nipple-areola tattoo options for patients following breast cancer surgery .
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center.
Dina
D
DiCenso
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Erica
E
Fischer-Cartlidge
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008408:Mastectomy; D009558:Nipples; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013653:Tattooing
areola tattoo; breast cancer; breast reconstruction; nipple tattoo