25 Feb More women receiving breast reconstruction after mastectomy, study finds

The majority of women who undergo mastectomy for breast cancer go on to get breast reconstruction, a practice that has increased dramatically over time. Researchers found that 46 percent of patients received reconstruction in 1998 but that figure rose to 63 percent by 2007. While overall rates of reconstruction increased, women who received radiation therapy were less likely to get reconstruction. Radiation therapy is increasingly being used after mastectomy as a way to further reduce the risk of the cancer returning in women with more aggressive or advanced disease. Reconstruction is more challenging after radiation, which limits the reconstruction options available for these patients.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140218163053.htm