Breast cancer patients prefer silicone breast implants

The journal Cancer online published (Nov 8, 2010) a study about women who underwent breast cancer reconstruction.  Doctors have a sense that women who have silicone gel breast reconstruction like their implants more, but is that the reality?

STUDY:  

The study was a multicenter study of 482 women who completed BREAST-Q post op reconstruction questionnaires after mastectomy and breast reconstruction. (This questionanaire looks at patient feelings about how the breasts look, do they feel like a natural part of their body, the breast shape, and the feel.)

FINDINGS: 

Women who had bilateral mastectomyand reconstruction are more satisfied with silicone gel breast implants than those filled with saline. 

• They liked gel better than saline (satisfaction 58% vs 52%).  They adjusted this for age, laterality, different centers, etc.
• Satisfaction is higher with bilateral reconstruction.
• No radiation had higher satisfaction.
• More recent reconstruction were happier.

Cancer. Published online November 8, 2010.