|
Latinas who spoke little English were less likely to undergo reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy for breast cancer, according to a study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The study compared breast reconstruction among white women, African-American women, Latina women who were highly acculturated and Latina women who were less acculturated. Acculturation is a measure of how much a person is integrated into American society. For Latinas, a significant factor is whether they speak primarily English or Spanish.
The researchers looked at 806 women treated for breast cancer in Detroit and Los Angeles. They found 41% of white women and 41% of highly acculturated Latinas underwent reconstruction, while only 34% of African-Americans and 14% of less acculturated Latinas did.
Results of the study appear online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
“We have good data that shows reconstruction after mastectomy improves quality of life. This is a body part that affects women’s self esteem, body image, sexuality and social roles. Not all women should necessarily choose reconstruction – it’s not right for everyone. But all women should be presented the option,” lead study author Amy Alderman, MD, MPH, assistant professor of plastic surgery at the U-M Medical School, said in a press release.
The study authors found that the lagging reconstruction rates did not correlate to a lack of interest. In fact, more than half of the less-acculturated Latinas said they would have liked more information about breast reconstruction. This group was also less likely to report that their surgeon explained breast reconstruction, and they were less likely to be referred to a plastic surgeon than the other racial groups.
“Reconstruction is important to these women, but significantly more of the less-acculturated Latinas did not know how to get it. It suggests significant unmet needs for this vulnerable group. They have a desire for reconstruction, but no one’s telling them about it,” Alderman said.
The study showed similar trends for African-American women, although the most striking data was among the less-acculturated Latinas.
Breast reconstruction was tied to patients’ satisfaction with their surgery. The highest satisfaction rates were from white women who had received reconstruction, among whom 94% were satisfied with their treatment. The lowest satisfaction, 56%, was among less-acculturated Latinas who did not receive reconstruction.
The study authors suggest more efforts must be made to present breast reconstruction options to all patients, including those who speak only Spanish. Further research is planned to understand how language and other cultural issues affect whether women receive breast reconstruction.
