'At least there is something in my bra': A qualitative study of women's experiences with oncoplastic breast surgery.
Stine Thestrup Hansen, Lene Anette Willemoes Rasmussen
PMID 35799478WHAT IT FOUND
Women prioritized survival over aesthetics at diagnosis, feeling dependent on physicians.
Later, they sought concrete reconstruction plans, finding comfort in having 'something in the bra' to avoid prostheses, though uncertainty about timing caused distress.
Key findings
01At diagnosis, participants focused entirely on treating the life-threatening cancer, postponing thoughts about future body image or aesthetics.
02Participants experienced distress due to a lack of concrete plans for breast reconstruction, with uncertainty about timing and outcomes hindering their return to daily life.
03Satisfaction was often derived from having a reconstructed breast with volume ('something in my bra') rather than perfect aesthetic symmetry, as this avoided the need for an external prosthesis.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Small sample size of seven women from a single Danish hospital department. Findings are context-specific to a system where departments were not physically consolidated, potentially affecting care coordination. The study did not address the impact of contralateral symmetry surgery on body image.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The research received no specific funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that offering oncoplastic surgery automatically resolves body image distress. Patients reported that uncertainty about the surgical plan and timeline caused significant anxiety, even when they were satisfied with having a breast reconstruction.