Breast reconstruction following mastectomy for invasive breast cancer is strongly influenced by demographic factors in women in Victoria, Australia

This study explored factors associated with the likelihood of reconstruction after unilateral mastectomy and the wellbeing of women after reconstruction. Data were from a questionnaire completed on average 1.8 years after diagnosis by 1429 women in the BUPA Health and Wellbeing After Breast Cancer Study. Logistic regression was used to model factors associated with reconstruction. The Psychological General Wellbeing Questionnaire was used to assess wellbeing. A total of 25.4% of 366 women who had a unilateral mastectomy had undergone a reconstruction nearly two years after diagnosis. Being younger (p < 0.001), educated beyond school (p < 0.04), living in the metropolitan area (p < 0.001), having private health insurance (p = 0.003), not having dependent children (p = 0.004) and not having radiotherapy (p < 0.001) explained just over 40% of the variation in reconstruction status. There was a modest difference between women who did and did not have a reconstruction in terms of wellbeing. Demographic factors strongly influence the likelihood of reconstruction after mastectomy. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.