Disparities in Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Southeast Asia. However, significant disparities in access to postmastectomy breast reconstruction persist due to cultural, economic, and healthcare-related factors. These disparities result in unequal access to care, impacting patient outcomes, and overall quality of life. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to assess trends, disparities, and outcomes in breast reconstruction across Southeast Asia. The review included 15 studies published between 2000 and 2023 from countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Brunei. Data extracted focused on disparities related to ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and surgical outcomes. Statistical analysis included summarizing key variables across studies. Significant cultural and economic barriers to breast reconstruction were identified. Cultural beliefs influenced uptake, with Malay women preferring autologous tissue reconstruction (92.3%), while Chinese women had lower reconstruction rates due to traditional beliefs. Economic constraints limited access to advanced techniques like the DIEP flap, which had a median cost of SGD 11 009.38, significantly higher than the TRAM flap (SGD, 300.51, p