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. 2022 Oct 14;109(11):1063-1072.
doi: 10.1093/bjs/znac251.

Immediate breast reconstruction uptake in older women with primary breast cancer: systematic review

Rachel Xue Ning Lee  1   2 , Maria Joao Cardoso  1   3 , Kwok Leung Cheung  1   4 , Ruth M Parks  1   4
Affiliations

Immediate breast reconstruction uptake in older women with primary breast cancer: systematic review

Rachel Xue Ning Lee et al. Br J Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Postmastectomy immediate breast reconstruction (PMIBR) may improve the quality of life of patients with breast cancer, of whom older women (aged 65 years or more) are a growing proportion. This study aimed to assess PMIBR in older women with regard to underlying impediments (if any).

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed were searched by two independent researchers up to June 2022. Eligible studies compared PMIBR rates between younger and older women with invasive primary breast cancer.

Results: A total of 10 studies (2012-2020) including 466 134 women were appraised, of whom two-thirds (313 298) were younger and one-third (152 836) older. Only 10.0 per cent of older women underwent PMIBR in contrast to 45.0 per cent of younger women. Two studies explored factors affecting uptake of PMIBR in older women; surgeon-associated (usual practice), patient-associated (socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and co-morbidities), and system-associated (insurance status and hospital location) factors were identified.

Conclusion: Uptake of PMIBR in older women is low with definable (and some correctable) barriers.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram showing selection of articles for review IBR, immediate breast reconstruction; IBC, inflammatory breast cancer; DCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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