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Trends in Use of Risk‐Reducing Mastectomy in a Context of Celebrity Decisions and Media Coverage: An Observational Study in the United States and Australia

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Health Services Research

Published online on

Abstract

Objective To examine trends in risk‐reducing mastectomy (RRM) and immediate breast reconstruction in New York State and New South Wales, especially before and after Angelina Jolie's announcement of her surgery in 2013. Data Source Hospital discharge data, 2004–2014. Study Design Trends in procedures were assessed using Poisson regression and the Cochrane–Armitage test. Data Extraction Methods Extracted using procedure codes. Principal Findings There was an increase in RRM procedures after May 2013 in both regions, with a peak during late 2013–early 2014. The average bimonthly RRM procedures were significantly higher after Jolie's announcement than before. Conclusions In both countries, we found a substantial increase of RRM after Jolie's announcement, highlighting the impact of celebrity health care coverage on preventive surgical choice and the need for decision aids to assist patients.