Med News 1

According to JAMA Jan. 25, 2006; vol 295: pp. 387-388 and WebMD news.

Jan. 27, 2006 - Less than one out of five American women who have mastectomies also have breast reconstruction surgery, but cost does not seem to be the only thing driving the decision, new research suggests.

A review of breast reconstruction practices in the U.S. found that reconstruction rates overall have not increased since 1999 -- the year legislation was enacted mandating insurance coverage for the surgery.

Figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show a 22% decline in breast reconstruction procedures between 2000 and 2004.

Differences of Ethnics and Regions
Whites have highest rate of undergoing reconstrution surgery, while blacks, Asian and Latinos have only half rate of them. Women living in Atlanta have highest rate of any regions investigated, while Alaska has lowest. Interesting findings. Maybe women in Atlanta have more needs for self-image?

Yet less than half of breast reconstruction surgeries are performed on patients age 50 and older, and fewer than one in 12 reconstructive surgery patients are over age 64.-WebMD

Yes. The elderly does have different priorities. Personally, I do not think there would be the same proportion of older women who are good candidates for surgery, including reconstrution.