Do breast cancer patients have a gender preference when choosing a breast surgeon?

INTRODUCTION

There is a paucity of data on breast cancer (BC) patients' gender preferences when it comes to choosing their surgeon, unlike in other specialties like gynaecology and obstetrics, where women tend to prefer a female physician. The aim of this trial was to examine if there are any gender preferences in women with BC at the time of choosing their breast surgeon.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study with 528 patients, older than 18 years, at the Breast Department 'Servicio Oncológico Hospitalario del Instituto Venezolano de los Seguros Sociales', from January to June 2022. We applied an anonymous questionnaire to evaluate patients' gender preferences when it comes to choosing their breast surgeon.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients was 56 ± 11 years. 89.4% did not have gender preferences, whereas 6.5% and 4.1% chose to be treated by female surgeons and male surgeons, respectively. The most important characteristics chosen by the patients when they decided to choose their breast surgeon were experience (75%), knowledge (54%) and hospital-based (41%).

CONCLUSION

Personal and professional skills are the most important factors when it comes to patients choosing their breast surgeon, gender does not have any impact on expertise or competence.