The Impact of Socioeconomic Determinants on the Patient Reported Outcomes in Young Breast Cancer Patients After Breast Surgery

Breast-conserving surgery is the standard treatment for young breast cancer patients, while mastectomy with breast reconstruction is an alternative for those who are not eligible for Breast-conserving surgery. Several studies have compared the quality of life and patient satisfaction among individuals receiving different types of surgery (Breast-conserving surgery, mastectomy alone, or mastectomy with reconstruction). For example, Meghan R. demonstrated that patients undergoing Breast-conserving surgery experience a higher quality of life compared to those undergoing mastectomy with breast reconstruction, whereas J. Dauplat's study showed that patients who undergo mastectomy with breast reconstruction report a higher quality of life than those who undergo mastectomy alone. However, the investigators hypothesize that the advantages of a specific type of surgery over another, such as Breast-conserving surgery versus breast reconstruction, may vary among patients with different socioeconomic factors. For instance, the benefits of breast reconstruction over Breast-conserving surgery might be more pronounced in young patients who require a more socially active lifestyle. Additionally, the benefits of one type of surgery over another may also vary at different time points during post-operative follow-up. Furthermore, it is worth noting that most current studies have been conducted in Caucasian populations. In contrast to Caucasians, Asians typically have smaller breast volumes, potentially leading to more significant defects after Breast-conserving surgery and possibly poorer aesthetic outcomes. Therefore, a study focusing on Asian young breast cancer populations is necessary.