Quality of Life and Affective Distress in Women Seeking Immediate versus Delayed Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Women seeking immediate reconstruction at the time of mastectomy show a relatively higher incidence of psychosocial impairment and functional disability. Women who undergo mastectomy demonstrate early restoration of psychosocial health within the first year after surgery. Patient preoperative psychosocial distress may have important implications for clinical decision-making and surgical outcome for women seeking combined mastectomy and breast reconstruction.