- Email: [email protected]
Men’s experiences of gynaecomastia and corrective surgery: A qualitative report
108
Letters to the Editor / The Breast 21 (2012) 107–109
Our observations showed no difference in pathological and survival properties between b1-selective blocker metoprolol users and nonusers. Because of these contradictory results of beta blockers on pathological properties and survival functions, further studies in larger cohorts are needed. Conflicts of interest The authors indicated no potential conflicts of interest. References
5. Shah SM, Carey IM, Owen CG, Harris T, Dewilde S, Cook DG. Does betaadrenoceptor blocker therapy improve cancer survival? Findings from a population-based retrospective cohort study. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2011;72(1): 157–61. 6. Powe DG, Voss MJ, Zanker KS, Habashy HO, Green AR, Ellis IO, et al. Beta-blocker drug therapy reduces secondary cancer formation in breast cancer and improves cancer specific survival. Oncotarget 2010;1(7):628–38.
Mehmet Ali Nahit Sendur, Sercan Aksoy*, Sebnem Yaman, Zafer Arik Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey Kadri Altundag Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology, Department of medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey
1. Entschladen F, Drell TLt, Lang K, Joseph J, Zaenker KS. Tumour-cell migration, invasion, and metastasis: navigation by neurotransmitters. Lancet Oncol 2004; 5(4):254–8. 2. Packer M. Beta-blockade in heart failure. Basic concepts and clinical results. Am J Hypertens 1998;11(1 Pt 2):23S–37S. 3. Melhem-Bertrandt A, Chavez-Macgregor M, Lei X, Brown EN, Lee RT, MericBernstam F, et al. Beta-blocker use is associated with improved relapse-free survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29(19):2645–52. 4. Barron TI, Connolly RM, Sharp L, Bennett K, Visvanathan K. Beta blockers and breast cancer mortality: a population - based study. J Clin Oncol 2011;29(19): 2635–44.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: þ90 312 508 4600; fax: þ90 312 311 2778. E-mail address: [email protected] (S. Aksoy)
doi:10.1016/j.breast.2011.09.015
Men’s experiences of gynaecomastia and corrective surgery: A qualitative report
To the Editor,
References
An increasing number of men are reporting dissatisfaction with some aspect of their body.1 It is therefore unsurprising that the number of men undergoing breast reduction surgery in the UK increased by 80% from 2008–20092 and a further 28% increase has been reported from 2009–2010.3 Given this stark increase, this study wished to understand the main reasons that men with gynaecomastia undergo reduction surgery and their experiences of surgery. We interviewed ten men who had surgery to correct gynaecomastia. We found that all men reported feeling self-conscious about their chest, and that gynaecomastia was perceived as a threat to their masculinity. Many men also experienced negative and hurtful comments from other people. These feelings and experiences led men to hide their condition and avoid situations where they would expose their chest. Additionally, men described a lack of public information about gynaecomastia and options for treatment. However, in general men were satisfied with their surgical outcome, had improved confidence and no longer hid their chest. The distress experienced by men with gynaecomastia compares with reports from people with a variety of visible differences. Surgery is the main treatment for gynaecomastia. However, this procedure may not be available to men through the NHS in the future, if commissioners do not see it as being a priority area. Providing psychosocial support for this patient group is therefore likely to become an increasingly important area of focus for primary care providers.
1. Grogan S. Body image: understanding body dissatisfaction in men, women and children. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge; 2008. 2. British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Britons over the moob-male breast reduction nearly doubles in 2009. http://www.baaps.org.uk/about-us/ audit/584 [Accessibility verified 28.03.11]. 3. British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Moobs and Boobs: Double DD’igit Rise. http://www.baaps.org.uk/about-us/press-releases/855 [Accessibility verified 28.03.11].
doi:10.1016/j.breast.2011.10.006
Sinead NiMhurchadha*, Jennifer Hughes, Charles Nduka Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3DZ, United Kingdom Diana Harcourt Centre for Appearance Research, University of West of England, Frenchay, School of Life Sciences, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom * Corresponding author. Tel.: þ44 1342414076. E-mail address: [email protected] 26 September 2011
Letters to the Editor / The Breast 21 (2012) 107–109
Our observations showed no difference in pathological and survival properties between b1-selective blocker metoprolol users and nonusers. Because of these contradictory results of beta blockers on pathological properties and survival functions, further studies in larger cohorts are needed. Conflicts of interest The authors indicated no potential conflicts of interest. References
5. Shah SM, Carey IM, Owen CG, Harris T, Dewilde S, Cook DG. Does betaadrenoceptor blocker therapy improve cancer survival? Findings from a population-based retrospective cohort study. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2011;72(1): 157–61. 6. Powe DG, Voss MJ, Zanker KS, Habashy HO, Green AR, Ellis IO, et al. Beta-blocker drug therapy reduces secondary cancer formation in breast cancer and improves cancer specific survival. Oncotarget 2010;1(7):628–38.
Mehmet Ali Nahit Sendur, Sercan Aksoy*, Sebnem Yaman, Zafer Arik Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey Kadri Altundag Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology, Department of medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey
1. Entschladen F, Drell TLt, Lang K, Joseph J, Zaenker KS. Tumour-cell migration, invasion, and metastasis: navigation by neurotransmitters. Lancet Oncol 2004; 5(4):254–8. 2. Packer M. Beta-blockade in heart failure. Basic concepts and clinical results. Am J Hypertens 1998;11(1 Pt 2):23S–37S. 3. Melhem-Bertrandt A, Chavez-Macgregor M, Lei X, Brown EN, Lee RT, MericBernstam F, et al. Beta-blocker use is associated with improved relapse-free survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29(19):2645–52. 4. Barron TI, Connolly RM, Sharp L, Bennett K, Visvanathan K. Beta blockers and breast cancer mortality: a population - based study. J Clin Oncol 2011;29(19): 2635–44.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: þ90 312 508 4600; fax: þ90 312 311 2778. E-mail address: [email protected] (S. Aksoy)
doi:10.1016/j.breast.2011.09.015
Men’s experiences of gynaecomastia and corrective surgery: A qualitative report
To the Editor,
References
An increasing number of men are reporting dissatisfaction with some aspect of their body.1 It is therefore unsurprising that the number of men undergoing breast reduction surgery in the UK increased by 80% from 2008–20092 and a further 28% increase has been reported from 2009–2010.3 Given this stark increase, this study wished to understand the main reasons that men with gynaecomastia undergo reduction surgery and their experiences of surgery. We interviewed ten men who had surgery to correct gynaecomastia. We found that all men reported feeling self-conscious about their chest, and that gynaecomastia was perceived as a threat to their masculinity. Many men also experienced negative and hurtful comments from other people. These feelings and experiences led men to hide their condition and avoid situations where they would expose their chest. Additionally, men described a lack of public information about gynaecomastia and options for treatment. However, in general men were satisfied with their surgical outcome, had improved confidence and no longer hid their chest. The distress experienced by men with gynaecomastia compares with reports from people with a variety of visible differences. Surgery is the main treatment for gynaecomastia. However, this procedure may not be available to men through the NHS in the future, if commissioners do not see it as being a priority area. Providing psychosocial support for this patient group is therefore likely to become an increasingly important area of focus for primary care providers.
1. Grogan S. Body image: understanding body dissatisfaction in men, women and children. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge; 2008. 2. British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Britons over the moob-male breast reduction nearly doubles in 2009. http://www.baaps.org.uk/about-us/ audit/584 [Accessibility verified 28.03.11]. 3. British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Moobs and Boobs: Double DD’igit Rise. http://www.baaps.org.uk/about-us/press-releases/855 [Accessibility verified 28.03.11].
doi:10.1016/j.breast.2011.10.006
Sinead NiMhurchadha*, Jennifer Hughes, Charles Nduka Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3DZ, United Kingdom Diana Harcourt Centre for Appearance Research, University of West of England, Frenchay, School of Life Sciences, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom * Corresponding author. Tel.: þ44 1342414076. E-mail address: [email protected] 26 September 2011