Physicians may be obstacles to breast reconstruction

Significant differences in plastic surgery referral practices by general surgeons treating newly diagnosed breast cancer patients partially explain the low rates of breast reconstructive surgery in the United States, according to a new study. Published in the May 1, 2007 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study suggests that only one quarter of general surgeons refer most breast cancer patients for a reconstruction consultation at the time of treatment planning.
Despite the fact that insurance covers the procedure, only 16 percent of breast cancer patients treated with a mastectomy receive breast reconstruction in the US. Studies have shown that age and race predict low rates of this reconstructive procedure. However, studies also suggest that healthcare providers have an impact on utilization through their referral and information sharing practices.