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Psychological Aspects of Breast Reconstruction

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Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Abstract

There has been an evolution under way toward increasing our understanding of the psychological issues related to breast reconstruction. Research has focused on the psychosocial/psychological and quality-of-life issues related to women’s experiences of breast reconstruction, often in comparison with women with mastectomy alone, and in some instances in comparison with women with breast conservation surgery. The role of breast reconstruction, both immediate and delayed, has been studied to ascertain its role in the journey women take to reclaim their best possible quality of life after the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Women facing contralateral prophylactic mastectomy with reconstruction as well as those women with bilateral reconstruction following bilateral prophylactic mastectomy have also been included in this research base. Women seek a return to their best possible selves following the experience of breast cancer diagnosis and treatments. How breast reconstruction may aid in that process is the focus of ongoing research and the focus of this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Creative Solutions, Southport, USA

    Barbara Rabinowitz

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  1. Barbara Rabinowitz
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Correspondence to Barbara Rabinowitz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , BreastUnit, Hospital Nossa Senhora das Gracas, Rua Padre Agostinho 913 ap 51, Curitiba, 80430050, Brazil

    Cicero Urban

  2. , Plastic and Reconstructive Division, European Institute of Oncology, Via Ripamonti, 435, Milan, 20100, Italy

    Mario Rietjens

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Rabinowitz, B. (2013). Psychological Aspects of Breast Reconstruction . In: Urban, C., Rietjens, M. (eds) Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2652-0_46

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2652-0_46

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-2651-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2652-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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