Amazonian dilemmas. Reasons for women’s refusal to undergo breast reconstructive surgery after surgical treatment of breast cancer

Background: An increasing number of women after surgical treatment of breast cancer are confronted with the decision to undergo breast reconstruction surgery. Most patients refuse to undergo the breast reconstructive surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons why women refuse to undergo breast reconstructive surgery after surgical treatment of breast cancer.

Material and methods: Material and methods: The study was carried out using the author’s questionnaire. The research was conducted in seven clubs for Amazons located in Lower Silesia. In the study there participated 139 women after mastectomy or conservative surgery who did not undergo breast reconstructive surgery.

Results: The average age of respondents was 59 years (±9.91 years). The largest group of respondents consisted of women declaring medium education levels. They were mostly married women living in cities. The largest group of respondents consisted of women diagnosed more than five years ago and who underwent mastectomy. The main reason for refusing to undergo breast reconstruction was no need (self-acceptance) (29%). The other reasons were: age (18%), the fear that reconstruction may trigger recurrence of the cancer (12%), the fear of additional surgery (10%), the fear of a pain (7%), the fear that it would be difficult to check the possible changes in the reconstructed breast (6%), medical reasons (5%), and others. The study group was characterized by a relatively large variation in the self-assessment in terms of knowledge about breast reconstruction surgery and its possible consequences. Most of them identified the level of knowledge about the procedure as average.

Conclusions: The decision to undergo breast reconstruction surgery is difficult. Comprehensive knowledge about the procedure and its consequences, provided to the patient, can help her make a decision. It is an important task which should be undertaken by women after mastectomy affiliated to the clubs.