08 May Bilateral Mastectomy Rates Higher In Hospitals Where Immediate Reconstruction Available

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Judy C. Boughey, MD
Chair, Division of Surgery Research
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. Boughey: Rates of bilateral mastectomy are higher in hospitals with immediate breast reconstruction available. Bilateral mastectomy rates were highest in hospitals with high volumes of immediate breast reconstruction. Large, teaching, urban, and Northeastern hospitals were more likely to have higher immediate breast reconstruction volumes.

MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Boughey: Hospitals with immediate breast reconstruction have higher rates of bilateral mastectomy. It cannot be clearly determined from this data whether the patients requesting bilateral mastectomy and wanting immediate reconstruction seek out care at institutions able to provide reconstruction or whether the availability of immediate reconstruction increases the likelihood that a patient decides to pursue bilateral mastectomy rather than unilateral mastectomy.

MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Boughey: Further understanding of factors impacting patient decision making regarding bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction is needed to help guide patient counseling.

Abstract Presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons
April 30-May4 2014
The Impact of Availability of Immediate Breast Reconstruction on Bilateral Mastectomy Rates for Breast Cancer Across the United States

Elizabeth B. Habermann1, 2, Kristine M. Thomsen1, Tina J. Hieken2, Judy C. Boughey2

Last Updated on December 21, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD