An Updated Review of Disparities in Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: Causes, Consequences, and Strategies for Promoting Health Equity
摘要
Surgery is indicated for most women with breast cancer. Though necessary for treatment, mastectomy can evoke feelings of fear, loss, and uncertainty. Breast reconstruction has the potential to offer enhanced health-related quality of life to women post-mastectomy, but not all women have access to this surgery. This article aims to review the landscape of health disparities in postmastectomy breast reconstruction, discuss reasons for the persistence of these disparities, and introduce evidence-based interventions for addressing healthcare disparities among women who are candidates for breast reconstruction.
Recent FindingsGenerally, women with fewer financial resources, less formal education, public insurance, and of Black or African American race face the greatest disparities in access to breast reconstruction. Sources of disparities in breast reconstruction can be thought of in two ways: barriers to entry and personal factors. Whereas the former includes things like cost, insurance, education, and access to referrals, the latter includes patient characteristics, such as age, oncologic treatment plan, and relevant comorbidities. Successful interventions for reducing disparities in breast reconstruction “meet patients where they are,” addressing modifiable risk factors that would otherwise contribute to persistent disparities.
SummaryProgress has been made in reducing disparities in breast reconstruction, but further progress toward health equity requires investment in evidence-based strategies for patient and community engagement.