Research Purpose:
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is an important option for many people with breast cancer, as it can help improve physical well-being and overall quality of life. However, choosing whether to have reconstruction—and deciding on the type and timing—can be a difficult and emotional process. Each option has its own risks and benefits, and many factors such as medical history, cancer stage, and future treatments can affect the chance of complications. This research study aims to evaluate two new online tools that use artificial intelligence to predict a person’s individual risk of experiencing certain complications or needing radiation after immediate breast reconstruction. These tools are designed to help patients and their healthcare teams make more informed, personalized decisions during the consultation process. Our goal is to test how accurate and useful these tools are in real clinical settings and explore whether they can be easily used as part of routine care.
What is involved
For this research study you will need to sign a consent form and fill out a short 3-question demographic survey. The survey can be completed online through a secure web-based platform called REDCap and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Who can participate
You may be able to participate in this study if you:
– Aged 19 or over
– Are undergoing total mastectomy (surgery to remove the breast), for breast cancer or risk reduction,
with immediate breast reconstruction (alloplastic or autologous)
Interested in being involved:
If you are interested in participating, please fill out the form on the Get Involved Page, or if you have further questions, feel free to email our research team at research.plastics@ubc.ca