gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the desires of women in breast reconstruction.

Materials and methods: Women were asked to choose between two reconstructive options in an imaginary situation of being diagnosed with breast cancer and having the need to undergo a mutilating operation. In option one the women were asked if they would want to look as before and receive a breast reconstruction that matches the former breast in size and shape as closely as possible even if ptotic; or in option two if they would want to use the opportunity to look aesthetically ideal with a new lifted/rejuvenated appearance of the reconstructed breast and accept a changing/lifting breast operation also on the healthy side which otherwise would not need an operation. The questionnaire was given by online publication and offline paper printout.

Results: The online questionnaire was answered by predominantly a young age group of women with a mean birth year of 1987. From 262 women 183 (69.8%) chose option one and 79 (30.2%) chose option two. Young women with smaller breasts and a family history of breast cancer were among those who tended even more frequently to opt for option one. The offline questionnaire was answered predominantly by an older age group of women with a mean birth year of 1961. From 110 women 84 (76%) chose option one and 26 (24%) chose option two. The tendency to prefer option one was even stronger in the older group.

Conclusion: The majority of women desire to obtain their own former breast back. Women wish to recreate their own natural and ptotic breast shape in reconstructive surgery without contralateral adjusting surgery. Younger women with smaller breasts and women of all ages with a family history of breast cancer even more frequently prefer an operation on only the involved side. Women opted for good rather than excellent breast symmetry.