Abstract P2-18-16: Patients’ impression of the expected appearance of breasts in 2013
Authors: Komenaka IK , Hsu C-H , Bouton ME , Olson L , Pond E , Nodora J , Martinez ME , Nesset EM , Maffi TR 
Published: August 2014

Background: Concern exists about the increasing rate of bilateral mastectomy for patients with unilateral breast cancer. Patient concern for second primary, use of breast MRI, and increased genetic cancer risk assessment all may influence choice of operation. In recent years, cosmetic breast augmentation has also become more common. This study was performed to evaluate women's perception of the current expected appearance of breasts.

Methods: From April 2012 to May 2013, all patients seen at a Breast Clinic were shown two pictures (A “natural” and B “augmented”) and asked “What is the expected appearance of breasts in 2012(2013)?” Sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment variables were collected. Univariate analysis was performed to identify variables which were associated with picture choice. All of the variables with a p-value &lt;0.10 were included in the multivariate analysis.

Results: 1,177 consecutive patients were seen with mean age 45 years. 93% of the patients were insured with Medicaid or uninsured and 19% were non-Hispanic White (NHW). The mean monthly income was only $1104. Overall 70% of patients felt that the augmented appearance is “expected in 2013.” Age was strongly associated with augmented appearance as younger patients were significantly more likely to choose picture B: age less than 40 years (85%), age 40-49 years (67%), age 50-59 years (65%), and age 60+ years (51%). Patients of all race/ethnic groups felt that the augmented appearance was expected. NHW 65%, AA 67%, and Hispanic 71%. Multivariate analysis found that more years of education (p = 0.001), younger age and lower BMI were strongly associated (p &lt; 0.0001) with choosing the augmented appearance as “expected in 2013.”

Of the 1177 patients, 337 breast cancer patients were seen. Overall 62% felt that the augmented appearance was expected. Of those who underwent an operation, 178 (58%) patients underwent breast conservation and 62% felt the augmented appearance was expected. Of 128 patients who underwent mastectomy, 36 (28%) underwent reconstruction. 23 patients underwent bilateral mastectomy. Of those who underwent mastectomy alone (41/83 = 49%) only about half felt the augmented appearance was expected. By contrast those who underwent reconstruction (33/36 = 92%; p &lt; 0.001) or bilateral mastectomy (17/23 = 74%; p = 0.057), were significantly more likely than those who underwent mastectomy alone to feel the augmented appearance was expected.

Conclusions: The current study suggests women's perception of the expected appearance of breasts is changing. Younger age was strongly associated with the perception that the “augmented” appearance is expected. This change may affect patients’ choice in surgical operations with more mastectomies and reconstructions in the future. In October 2012 from a common women's periodical, when asked about her choice of operation for a small area of unilateral DCIS, one woman responded, “Just take them off and give me implants. Everybody has implants; it's no big deal.”

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-18-16.