October 06, 2009
Breast Reconstruction Varies By Race
Researchers (Amy Alderman et al) at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have published a study on the October 5 online version of the Journal of Clinical Oncology where they found that language barriers in non-English speaking Latinas were a factor in whether or not reconstructive breast surgery occurred.
Receipt of breast reconstruction varied significantly by patient race/ethnicity (40.9% of whites, 33.5% of African Americans, 41.2% of highly acculturated Latinas, and only 13.5% of less acculturated Latinas; P < .0001). Nearly 14% of less acculturated Latinas said they did not know how to get breast reconstruction, compared with less than 2% for all other groups (P<.001).
The lower rates in limited English speaking populations did not represent a lack of interest in reconstruction. The researchers suggest that there should be increased efforts to present breast reconstruction options to patients. Stronger efforts should be made particularly to those who speak limited English.
For more information, you can read a description in Medical News Today or the article at the Journal of Oncology webpage.