Patient demographic differences in patient-reported outcomes of breast reconstruction: A comparative analysis of BREAST-Q.

Abstract

Advances in breast cancer care have improved survival, making it vital to assess long-term patient perceptions and well-being post-breast reconstruction. Although evaluating patient-reported outcomes (PRO's) has become increasingly crucial to breast reconstruction care, differences among racial groups have not been studied extensively. A prospective cohort study including BREAST-Q survey results of 234 patient after breast reconstruction found significant differences between racial groups for distinct outcome categories of "Confidence," "Sensitivity," and "Sexual Well-being" across various time points. However, no differences were found in the choice of reconstructive method or outcome domain "How Clothes Fit." There are distinct racial disparities in PROs post-breast reconstruction; however, these differences did not extend to the choice of the reconstruction method. These findings highlight the need to address potential barriers to ensure equitable representation of diverse patient populations in PRO assessments.