Racial Disparities Persist in Immediate Breast Reconstruction Rates
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, May 7, 2025 -- While there has been an increase in immediate breast reconstruction rates following mastectomy, racial disparities in reconstruction persist in the United States, according to a study published online in the May issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Rachel E. Schafer, M.P.H., from the Cleveland Clinic, and colleagues used data from 224,506 patients identified through the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005 to 2022) to investigate the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 on racial and ethnic diversity in immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy.
The researchers found that pre-ACA, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Black or African American individuals underwent immediate breast reconstruction at significantly lower rates than White patients. Hispanic patients were significantly less likely to undergo breast reconstruction versus non-Hispanic patients (28.0 versus 33.4 percent). This trend persisted in the post-ACA period, with all racial groups undergoing immediate breast reconstruction at significantly lower rates than White patients. Hispanic patients, however, were significantly more likely to undergo immediate breast reconstruction versus non-Hispanic patients (53.8 versus 47.9 percent).
"Despite legislative efforts and a steady increase in immediate breast reconstruction rates over the years, racial disparities in breast reconstruction rates persist, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions to ensure equitable reconstructive care for all patients," the authors write.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted May 2025
Read this next
Presurgical Immunotherapy Offers Long-Term Benefit in Melanoma
FRIDAY, July 18, 2025 -- Neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) followed by adjuvant treatment with nivolumab and relatlimab offers long-term benefit in adults with stage III/IV...
Velar Adhesion Reduces Cleft Width Prior to Palatoplasty in Cleft Lip
TUESDAY, July 15, 2025 -- For patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), velar adhesion (VA) reduces cleft width prior to palatoplasty and is associated with a lower...
AI Support Improves Breast Cancer Detection Accuracy in Mammography
MONDAY, July 14, 2025 -- Artificial intelligence (AI) support improves radiologists' breast cancer detection accuracy when reading mammograms, according to a study published...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.