SEK 10 Million grant for breast reconstruction study
Natural tissue breast reconstruction is currently only offered to patients who have undergone radiotherapy. Emma Hansson, supported by a SEK 10 million grant from the Swedish Cancer Society, aims to compare diverse methods. Her goal: to expand options for reconstructing breasts using the body’s own tissue.
The Swedish Cancer Society recently announced a remarkable surge in funding for ten research projects focused on clinical treatment studies.
Emma Hansson’s initial reaction to the substantial grant was disbelief. "I had to double-check that it really said ‘granted 10 million.’ It was too good to be true! This substantial grant offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct a study that could significantly impact patients and shape post-cancer breast recovery guidelines,” explains Emma Hansson, senior physician and adjunct professor of plastic surgery at the Institute of Clinical Sciences.
This is a fantastic opportunity, benefiting both patients and professionals working in this field
The funding spans a four-year period, during which the team aims to pave the way for more personalized care options and increased patient autonomy.
“To my knowledge, there’s never been such extensive funding to investigate breast reconstruction-related issues,” Hansson notes.
What specifically are you going to research?
“The overall aim of the project is to compare natural tissue (autologous) breast reconstruction and implant-based breast reconstruction in patients without a history of radiotherapy. We’ll measure patient satisfaction, assess its impact on quality of life, and analyze it from a health-economic perspective.”
Potential Cost-Efficiency
What do you hope this comparison can show?
“Presently, autologous breast reconstruction is primarily offered to radiotherapy patients, owing to their heightened need for this resource-intensive method. Our hypothesis suggests that endogenous reconstruction might emerge as a more cost-effective approach from a societal perspective," says Emma Hansson adding:
“While endogenous reconstruction requires more initial healthcare resources, its sustainable outcomes may necessitate fewer subsequent care interventions, such as additional surgeries and associated downtime, compared to implant-based reconstruction.”
Empowering freedom of choice
Beyond understanding long-term resource utilization, Emma Hansson underscores another critical outcome of the research:
“The major benefit of the study could lie in broadening patient access to diverse breast reconstruction methods, empowering them with more choices.”
Text: Jakob Lundberg