(RxWiki News) When measuring outcomes in breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, age may be just a number, a new study found.
This study found that both older and younger women with breast cancer saw benefits from having breast reconstruction surgery after they had mastectomies. And age did not appear to significantly affect complications associated with the surgery.
This study looked at more than 1,500 women who underwent breast reconstruction. Two years later, the women reported relatively similar levels of physical, psychosocial and sexual well-being, regardless of their age, these University of Michigan Health System researchers found.
This finding conflicts with a common notion that breast reconstruction is a better option for younger patients, the study authors noted.
As with all surgeries, the risks must be considered along with the benefits, these researchers noted. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any surgery you may have.
This study was published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
The National Cancer Institute funded this research. One study author received royalties from a data-gathering instrument used in this research.
