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DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-829049
Breast Reconstruction Practices in North America: Current Trends and Future Priorities
Publication History
Publication Date:
14 June 2004 (online)
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The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) became federal law on January 1, 1999, mandating health care payer coverage for postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Despite passage of this legislation, breast reconstruction rates in the United States remain low. The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database for mastectomy patients in 11 regions across the United States show overall rates for immediate and early delayed reconstruction (performed within 4 months of mastectomy) of 15.4% for 1998 and 18.0% for 2000. Reconstruction rates vary significantly by region as well as by patient age, race, and income. The paper examines potential etiologies for low utilization of breast reconstruction and outlines possible remedies.
KEYWORDS
Breast reconstruction - breast implant - TRAM - SEER
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Edwin G Wilkins
Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, 2130 Taubman Center
Ann Arbor, MI 48109