Disparities in Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Southeast Asia. However, significant disparities in access to postmastectomy breast reconstruction persist due to cultural, economic, and healthcare-related factors. These disparities result in unequal access to care, impacting patient outcomes, and overall quality of life. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to assess trends, disparities, and outcomes in breast reconstruction across Southeast Asia. The review included 15 studies published between 2000 and 2023 from countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Brunei. Data extracted focused on disparities related to ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and surgical outcomes. Statistical analysis included summarizing key variables across studies. Significant cultural and economic barriers to breast reconstruction were identified. Cultural beliefs influenced uptake, with Malay women preferring autologous tissue reconstruction (92.3%), while Chinese women had lower reconstruction rates due to traditional beliefs. Economic constraints limited access to advanced techniques like the DIEP flap, which had a median cost of SGD 11 009.38, significantly higher than the TRAM flap (SGD, 300.51, p < 0.001). Geographic disparities further restricted access, especially in rural areas. Complication rates were higher in obese patients, with total flap loss at 6% and fat necrosis at 10%. Studies from Vietnam and Thailand reported 5-year overall survival rates of 95% and disease-free survival rates of 80.7% for early-stage breast cancer patients undergoing reconstruction. Breast reconstruction disparities in Southeast Asia are driven by complex interactions between cultural, economic, and healthcare-related factors. Efforts to reduce these disparities must focus on increasing patient education, expanding reconstructive options, and addressing systemic healthcare inequalities. Targeted interventions, including policy changes to subsidize reconstruction and improve surgeon training in rural areas, are critical to ensuring equitable access and improving patient outcomes across the region.