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The Influence of Age on the Breast Surgery Decision-Making Process

  • Breast Oncology
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Mastectomy rates have been assumed to be a function of physician recommendations, although they correlate with patient involvement in decision making. The influence of age on the decision-making process and treatment choice is poorly described.

Methods

All women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and a random sample with invasive breast cancer were identified from two Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program registries and surveyed 6 months postoperatively. Women older than 79 years with noninvasive or localized invasive breast cancer diagnosed in 2002 were included. Women with breast-conserving therapy (BCT) contraindications were excluded. Women were questioned about involvement in surgical decision-making, inquiring if this decision was patient-based, surgeon-based, or shared. Knowledge and concerns were assessed.

Results

The response rate was 77.0%. There were 1,259 patients who met the study eligibility criteria and age data was available for 1,131. Median patient age was 59.9 years. The frequency of patient-based decisions did not vary with age (p = 0.20), but older women had less knowledge for decision making. The mastectomy rate overall was 19.7%, with no differences in mastectomy choice by age (p = 0.18). In logistic regression for the likelihood of undergoing mastectomy, patient involvement (p < 0.0001), larger tumor size (p < 0.0001), lower education (p = 0.0002), number of surgeons consulted (p = 0.0005), and nonwhite race origin (p = 0.011) were significant predictors, while age, invasion, and comorbidities were not significant.

Conclusion

Older women participate equally in breast cancer surgical decision making and are equally likely to select mastectomy, but use less knowledge to make the decision. The impact of education and ethnic origin on mastectomy use indicates the need for improved educational strategies for these groups.

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Acknowledgements

Funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (R01CA8837-AI).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA

    Richard J. Bleicher MD & Monica Morrow MD

  2. Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Paul Abrahamse PhD, Sarah T. Hawley PhD & Steven J. Katz MD

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  1. Richard J. Bleicher MD
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  2. Paul Abrahamse PhD
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  4. Steven J. Katz MD
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Correspondence to Richard J. Bleicher MD.

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Bleicher, R.J., Abrahamse, P., Hawley, S.T. et al. The Influence of Age on the Breast Surgery Decision-Making Process. Ann Surg Oncol 15, 854–862 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-007-9708-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-007-9708-x

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