Factors Affecting Decisions About Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy in Black and Latina Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Learning about the reasons for choosing to have, or not to have, breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer may help doctors understand why black or Latina women may or may not undergo breast reconstruction. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying factors affecting decisions about breast reconstruction after mastectomy in black and Latina women.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: Interview black and Latina women about their reasons for choosing to have, or not to have, breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer. Describe the context in which black and Latina women make decisions about breast reconstruction. Explore similarities and differences in factors affecting decision-making among black and Latina women. Identify factors that contribute to the low utilization of breast reconstruction among ethnic minority women. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients undergo a 1-hour interview to evaluate their rationale for choosing to have, or not to have, breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Interviews are conducted by a woman of the same ethnic background as the patient. Key factors influencing a patient's decision to consider having breast reconstruction are explored during the interview, including availability of educational materials on breast reconstruction and the adequacy of this information. Patients are asked to examine personal factors influencing their decision, such as feelings about living with or without a reconstructed breast; concerns about reconstructive surgery and its risks; potential complications; and impact of reconstructive surgery on sexuality and body image. Social and cultural factors are also evaluated, including influence of family and friends; degree of support for the patient's decision to have surgery; racial or ethnic differences in patient's preferences; and cultural values. Access-related factors, such as financial cost, insurance availability, or physician referral practices, are also explored. At the end of the interview, patients may be referred to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention for oncologic surveillance or for additional information on breast reconstruction. Patients may also be contacted after the interview to answer follow-up questions, to clarify topics previously discussed, or to provide further input or feedback on preliminary study findings.

Official Title
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Decision-Making About Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy Among Ethnic Minority Women: An Exploratory Study of Qualitative Themes

Conditions
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Breast Cancer, Psychosocial Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: counseling intervention
* Other: study of socioeconomic and demographic variables
* Procedure: management of therapy complications
* Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Have undergone mastectomy* (with or without reconstruction) for breast cancer within the past 3 years AND meets 1 of the following criteria: Self-identified as being black Self-identified as being Latina NOTE: *Patients scheduled to undergo mastectomy are eligible Recruited from one of the following cancer centers or breast cancer support organizations: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention Patients are identified by their physician (e.g., oncologist, breast surgeon), the protocol investigator, a member of the research team, and/or medical chart review Spirit of Hope or LatinaSHARE Patients are identified by the director of the support organization or the support group leader Hormone receptor status not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Female Menopausal status not specified No cognitive impairment that would preclude giving informed consent PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: counseling intervention|nan|
|Other: study of socioeconomic and demographic variables|nan|
|Procedure: management of therapy complications|nan|
|Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-reported reasons among black and Latina women for choosing to have, or not to have, breast reconstruction after mastectomy |  | 2 years | 
| Development of a theoretical model that describes how black and Latina women make decisions regarding breast reconstruction after mastectomy |  | 2 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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psychosocial effects of cancer and its treatment, stage I breast cancer, stage II breast cancer, stage IIIA breast cancer, stage IIIB breast cancer, stage IIIC breast cancer, stage IV breast cancer, recurrent breast cancer