Patient Choice and Mastectomy Rates in Breast Cancer Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Kirby Robert M, Basit Abdul, Manimaran Natarajan
Primary Institution: The Breast Unit, University Hospital of North Staffordshire
Hypothesis
Mastectomy rates may be affected by patient choice.
Conclusion
Patient choice plays a major and substantial part in determining mastectomy rates.
Supporting Evidence
- 130 patients (64%) chose to have a mastectomy, reporting that they felt safer.
- 84% of patients choosing mastectomy did so because they felt safer.
- 69% of patients had a preference for a mastectomy.
- Patients were advised to have a mastectomy based on tumor characteristics.
Takeaway
Many women choose to have a mastectomy because they feel safer, even when they are told that breast conserving surgery has the same survival rates.
Methodology
A questionnaire was administered to mastectomy patients to ascertain if they had been offered a choice of breast conserving surgery and to establish their reasons for preference.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in patient reporting and selection of participants.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing patient choice, such as socioeconomic status.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged between 28 and 92 years, with a mean age of 60 and a median of 58 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.075
Statistical Significance
p=0.075
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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