The Haute Autorité de Santé is launching, in partnership with the National Cancer Institute (INCa) and in conjunction with the Seintinelles network, a survey of women affected by breast cancer and affected by a mastectomy. “The objective is to better understand what motivates their decision to resort to breast reconstruction or not and, if necessary, the choice of technique” emphasizes the HAS. “In France, about 30% of women have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. This percentage raises questions about the need for information and support for women both to make the decision to have breast reconstruction and to carry it out,” adds the High Authority.
30% of women resort to reconstruction
Since figures show that 7 out of 10 women give up reconstruction, theinvestigation launched by the HAS will relate to the feelings of the women concerned vis-à-vis the quality of the information and support they received, and on what was decisive in their decision whether or not to undertake breast reconstruction, and, if necessary, in the choice of technique.
What are the reconstruction techniques? VSsome use medical devices (breast implant in particular), others use the patient’s tissues (musculocutaneous, fasciocutaneous, fatty skin flaps or adipose tissue autografts), others mix the two approaches (for example: flap of latissimus dorsi with breast implant placement or autografts of adipose tissue associated with other techniques).
If the intervention can be carried out in a way immediately following the removal of the breast(s), it most often takes place deferred, within 3 years following the mastectomy.
Who can take part in the breast reconstruction survey?
All women, adults, residing in France, who had a mastectomy between 2014 and today:
- Following breast cancer, or because of a genetic, family or personal predisposition.
- On one or both breasts.
- Whether or not there was reconstruction.
Women who have not undergone reconstruction by choice, women who have not undergone reconstruction because they are in the process of making their decision or are waiting for their operation, and women who have undergone reconstruction (that this one is finished or not).
You can answer the HAS questionnaire directly, without registration, on the Seine platform Where through the platform.
Read also :
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- Pink October: a web series on breast reconstruction