Wealthy More Likely to Have Breast Reconstruction

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Rosson's group noted that having breast reconstruction immediately after mastectomy has several advantages including aesthetics, psychosocial well-being and cost-effectiveness.

The researchers think educational programs should be developed to let these women know the benefits of breast reconstruction.

"Prospective public health measures, including educational and informative programs, can be developed and implemented in the community to address these inequalities [particularly racial/ethnic disparities based on neighborhood] and to increase the likelihood that patients with breast cancer and mastectomy obtain immediate reconstruction," the researchers concluded.

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Brenda Salgado, program manager at Breast Cancer Action in San Francisco, thinks that both minority women and the medical community contribute to the differences seen in breast reconstruction.

"Women choose not to have reconstruction for a number of reasons," Salgado said. "It may have to do not just with access to providers and insurance, it may have to do with mistrust of the medical industry and concern about implants."

Black and Asian women are more likely to develop unattractive scaring and even autoimmune disease from implants, Salgado said.

Cultural preferences may also play a role in the decision whether or not to undergo breast reconstruction, Salgado said. "Some women may not feel the need to do the reconstruction as much as other women. We need to think about cultural issues like body image and reconstruction. And that may be different in different communities," she said.

To make an informed decision, women need to know all the options, Salgado said. "Not just that breast reconstruction is available, but also the pros and cons," she said. "There needs to be unbiased education that is not controlled by the industry that would profit from more breast reconstructions."

More information

For more about breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.

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