New Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction Guidelines for health professionals and patients

4th February 2013

 

In November 2012, new guidelines for UK teams providing oncoplastic breast reconstruction, along with a summary of the guidelines for patients, were launched by BAPRAS, Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) and leading support charity Breast Cancer Care. It was the first time that plastic and breast surgeons had collaborated on a comprehensive plan for service improvement to drive patient care and standards in the UK, building on original 2007 guidelines.

The guidance was developed in response to findings from the 2009 and 2010 National Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Audit. This involved over 18,000 women and examined a broad range of clinical and patient-reported outcomes, which highlighted a number of inconsistencies in breast cancer patient care across NHS Trusts. These included variations in pre-operative information given to patients, the ability of patients to access services and pain following surgery.

The new guidelines were put together to help multidisciplinary teams improve the management of patients in their care. They were drafted by a working group of healthcare professionals with expertise in oncoplastic surgery. The working group also included a person affected by breast cancer who shared their experience, to ensure the patient perspective was considered when developing the guidelines. 

Breast Cancer Care then helped create a shorter version for patients outlining what they can expect from their breast reconstruction team. The guidelines aim to ensure all breast cancer patients are well informed about their reconstruction and can expect to receive the best care and support wherever they’re treated.

Dr. Emma Pennery, Clinical Director at Breast Cancer Care, Professor Diana Harcourt, Co-Director at the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England, together with a patient working group, wrote the patient summary to make the technical guidelines accessible for patients. It was then shared with others and the original members of the working group. 
    
At Breast Cancer Care we often hear from patients who tell us they can feel overwhelmed with difficult decisions to be made at what can be a very vulnerable time. From our own contact with people with the disease, we know the way surgeons explain different types of operation to patients can have a major impact on their understanding and uptake of services.

We hope these new guidelines, developed in collaboration with breast cancer patients, provide clarity on what people can and should expect from their breast reconstruction team and ensure that everyone gets clear information about their options.

Sophie Softley Pierce
Breast Cancer Care

View the guidelines
 

 

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