Satisfaction and quality of life in breast cancer mastectomized patients according to breast reconstruction

Introduction and objective: Mastectomy and breast reconstruction are procedures that are part of the multidisciplinary management of breast cancer. Currently, the BREAST-Q questionnaire is available, which allows objective and numerical determination of the quality of life and satisfaction of patients who have undergone breast surgery. Studies have evaluated the repercussions of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction with inconsistent results, likewise there are no similar investigations in the Peruvian population. The objective of the present study is to determine and compare the level of satisfaction and quality of life in patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy with and without breast reconstruction.Material and methods: Observational, analytical cross-sectional study carried out in patients with mastectomies for breast cancer with and without breast reconstruction at the Aliada Oncology Center, Lima-Peru. 46 patients operated between the years 2016-2021 were included. The quality of life and satisfaction of the patients was evaluated using the BREAST-Q questionnaire.Results: Significant differences were obtained in the breast satisfaction and sexual well-being scales when comparing mastectomy patients with and without breast reconstruction, where the group with reconstruction reflected a better result in satisfaction and quality of life. No significant results were obtained in the scales of attention of the medical team, adverse events of radiation and according to the type of breast reconstruction.Conclusions: The BREAST-Q instrument showed that patients undergoing breast reconstruction obtained better results on the satisfaction and quality of life scales compared to patients without breast reconstruction.(c) 2022 SESPM. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.