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. 2017 May;139(5):1046e-1055e.
doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003241.

Breast Cancer and Reconstruction: Normative Data for Interpreting the BREAST-Q

Lily R Mundy  1   2 , Karen Homa  1   2 , Anne F Klassen  1   2 , Andrea L Pusic  1   2 , Carolyn L Kerrigan  1   2
Affiliations

Breast Cancer and Reconstruction: Normative Data for Interpreting the BREAST-Q

Lily R Mundy et al. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017 May.

Abstract

Background: The BREAST-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument used to evaluate outcomes in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery and reconstruction. Normative values for the BREAST-Q breast cancer modules have not been established, limiting data interpretation.

Methods: Participants were recruited by means of the Army of Women, an online community of women (with and without breast cancer), to complete Mastectomy, Breast Conserving Therapy, and Reconstruction preoperative BREAST-Q scales. Inclusion criteria were women aged 18 years or older without a history of breast surgery or breast cancer. Analysis included descriptive statistics, a linear multivariate regression, and a comparison of the generated normative data to previously published BREAST-Q findings.

Results: The BREAST-Q was completed by 1201 women. The mean patient age was 54 ± 13 years, mean body mass index 26 ± 6 kg/m, and 38 percent (n = 455) had a bra cup size of D or greater. Mean ± SD scores for BREAST-Q scales were as follows: Satisfaction with Breasts (58 ± 18), Psychosocial Well-being (71 ± 18), Sexual Well-being (56 ± 18), Physical Well-being-Chest (93 ± 11), and Physical Well-being Abdomen (78 ± 20). Women with a body mass index of 30 kg/m or greater, cup size of D or greater, age younger than 40 years, and annual income less than $40,000 reported lower scores. Comparing normative scores to published data in breast cancer patients, Satisfaction with Breasts scores were higher after autologous reconstruction and lower after mastectomy; Sexual Well-being scores were lower after mastectomy and breast conserving therapy; and Physical Well-being Chest scores were lower after mastectomy, breast conserving therapy, and reconstruction.

Conclusion: These are the first published normative scores for the BREAST-Q breast cancer modules and provide a clinical reference point for the interpretation of data.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. BREAST-Q Breast Cancer Modules: Demographic Variables with 95% Confidence Intervals
- Purple line = mean score with 95% confidence intervals in brackets
Figure 2
Figure 2. BREAST-Q Mastectomy Module Normative Scores vs. Previously Published Post-Operative Mastectomy Scores with 95% Confidence Intervals
Figure 3
Figure 3. BREAST-Q Breast Conserving Therapy Normative Scores vs. Previously Published Post-Operative Breast Conserving Therapy Scores with 95% Confidence Intervals
Figure 4
Figure 4
a. BREAST-Q Reconstruction Normative Scores vs. Previously Published Scores with 95% Confidence Intervals: Implant-based Reconstruction b. BREAST-Q Reconstruction Normative Scores vs. Previously Published Scores with 95% Confidence Intervals: Autologous Reconstruction
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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