J. Michael Dixon, MBChB, MD, Professor of Surgery, Consultant Surgeon, University of Edinburgh, Clinical Director of the Edinburgh Breast Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, discusses the need to develop a better way of informing women with breast cancer of the potential risks entailed by a mastectomy, including mastectomy with breast reconstruction.

Dixon explains, in the UK approximately 10% of women receiving breast reconstruction following mastectomy experienced a complication that resulted in the loss of their implant. Readmission following mastectomy reaches 10-20%, he notes, this number is exceptionally high when you consider the procedure has not been associated with a reduced rate of local recurrence.

The need for education is an ongoing item, as is the need to increase awareness in the US. Dixon notes, there is currently a large disparity between the UK and the US. He adds that more women in the US are needlessly receiving mastectomy causing additional risks when breast-conserving surgery is the better option.