A Study on the Perception of Breast Reconstruction in Breast Reconstructed Patients after Mastectomy in Korea

Lee, Sang Won; Kim, Hak Soo; Jeong, Jae Ho; Seul, Jung Hyun; Lee, Soo Jung

Abstract

The incidence of breast cancer and the number of patients who underwent mastectomy has been constantly increased. However, only a few of them consider breast reconstruction in Korea. The breast is a symbolic organ of women, which affects individual social and psychologic activities. Therefore the final goal of breast cancer treatment is not just the eradication of cancer, but the reconstruction of the lost breast. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the understanding of breast reconstruction in women who underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy. This retrospective study includes 88 female patients who had breast reconstruction at Yeungnam University Hospital between April 1996 and September 1999. Various methods of breast reconstruction including nipple-areolar reconstruction were applied according to the patients' condition. Among the 88 cases, only 62 patients answered our questionnaire. The age of the patients ranged from 23 to 50 years. Our questionnaire includes questions about the factors which influenced decision of breast reconstruction, the level of satisfaction, and the reasons for breast reconstruction. According to the answers, most Korean women consider the breast as female symbol. They get most of the information about breast reconstruction from the general surgeon. Patients who underwent reconstruction with autogenous tissue were more satisfied than those with breast implants. In conclusion, the majority of Korean breast cancer patients are devoid of information about breast reconstruction. In order to provide adequate information to the patients, plastic surgeons should provide more detailed information about breast reconstruction to general surgeon, and make efforts for public education by mass media. It should be equally emphasized that the final step of breast cancer treatment is the restoration of the lost breast.