Toronto, Oct 24 - Reconstruction of breasts after their whole or partial removal during mastectomy may help women improve their psychosocial and sexual well-being.

Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely, especially to prevent breast tumours from spreading.

The results of the study will help breast cancer survivors decide what type of breast reconstruction is suitable, the Cancer journal reports.

Recent studies on the health and wellbeing of women who undergo breast reconstruction have generated mixed findings.

Toni Zhong, at the University of Toronto along with colleagues at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York City, surveyed 51 women undergoing breast reconstruction between June 2009 and November
2010, a statement said.

During these procedures, surgeons take tissue from the patient's abdomen and use it to reconstruct the breast. The women in the study completed questionnaires prior to surgery and following surgery at three weeks and three months.

Women who underwent the breast reconstruction procedures reported significant improvements in psychological, social, and sexual wellbeing just three weeks after surgery.

Unfortunately, however, they continued to experienced decreased physical wellbeing at the abdominal location where tissue was removed at three months following surgery.

"In the current healthcare environment where patients and providers increasingly seek evidence-based data to guide clinical decisions, discussing satisfaction outcomes with patients will help them make educated decisions about breast reconstruction," said Zhong. (IANS)