Finishing Touches: Expanding Access to Nipple-areola Tattooing as a Component of Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction

摘要

Approximately 275,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the United States annually, with American women carrying a 1 in 8 lifetime risk of receiving the diagnosis. Postmastectomy breast reconstruction is now universally recognized as a gold standard component of comprehensive breast cancer treatment. Breast reconstruction has been proven to significantly improve a woman’s psychosocial and physical well-being through creation of a new breast mound with techniques that are both safe and effective. With these surgical advancements, the number of women pursuing breast reconstruction has trended upward. In 2018 alone, 101,657 breast reconstructive procedures were performed in the United States—a 29% increase since 2000 when 78,832 procedures were performed. Unfortunately, over the past 2 years, there has been a 7% decline in breast reconstruction procedures performed and challenges with lack of access to reconstructive services likely contributing to this downturn.