Skip to main content

PERSPECTIVE article

Front. Oncol.
Sec. Breast Cancer
Volume 14 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1440109

External breast prostheses after mastectomy: production and selection of a low-cost functional model to be performed in developing countries

Provisionally accepted
René A. Vieira René A. Vieira 1,2,3,4*Matheus S. Ibrahim Matheus S. Ibrahim 2,3,5Lucas G. de Souza Araujo Lucas G. de Souza Araujo 3José de Assis e Souza Junior José de Assis e Souza Junior 4Carla S. de Freitas Carla S. de Freitas 6Luiz C. de Oliveira Luiz C. de Oliveira 4
  • 1 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oncologia, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil
  • 2 Programa de Pós-graduação em Tocoginecologia. Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu., Botucatu, Brazil
  • 3 Faculdade de Medicina de Muriaé/ UNIFAMINAS, Muriaé/MG, Brazil
  • 4 Departamento de Cirurgia Oncológica. Divisão de Mastologia. Hospital de Câncer de Muriaé, Muriaé, Brazil
  • 5 Departamento de Mastologia e Reconstrução Mamária. Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, Barretos, Brazil
  • 6 Departamento de Oncologia Clinica. Hospital de Câncer de Muriaé, Muriaé/MG, Brazil

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women. Despite advancements in early diagnosis, neoadjuvant therapy, and various treatment modalities, mastectomy remains a common procedure for many women. Although some women opt for reconstructive surgery (BR), many do not have the indication, desire, or opportunity to undergo this procedure. Methods: An easily manufactured, washable, lightweight, and inexpensive external breast prosthesis (EBP) model was developed specifically for the study. Participants were presented with five EBP models–one commercially available, three manufactured options, and one created for the study–and were asked to choose a prosthesis. We also evaluated the factors associated with non-adherence to EBP among women who had undergone mastectomy without BR. The chi-square test was used to assess adherence or non-adherence to EBP, while logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with non-adherence. Results: We introduced a low-cost, lightweight, washable EBP model. When participants were asked to choose between two prostheses, the silicone prosthesis was the first choice for 33.9% of the participants, while the prosthesis created for the study emerged as the second choice for 70.5%. Out of the 72 women assessed, 45.8% (33) opted not to use any of the EBP models. Our analysis revealed that age and BMI were significantly associated with non-use of EBP. Conclusion: Multiple barriers contribute to non-adherence to EBP, underscoring the need for interventions aimed at improving patient knowledge and adherence. This study introduces a lightweight, easily reproducible, and low-cost EBP model.

    Keywords: Breast Neoplasms, External breast prosthesis, Quality of Life, Mastectomy, Developing Countries

    Received: 29 May 2024; Accepted: 17 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Vieira, Ibrahim, de Souza Araujo, e Souza Junior, de Freitas and de Oliveira. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: René A. Vieira, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oncologia, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.