Mastectomy and breast reconstruction

The audit database has closed for submissions but users can still access the online reports and export their data until the end of March 2011. The fourth and final annual report was published on 22 March 2011.

The Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction (MBR) Audit is a national audit of provision and outcomes for women in England and Wales. The audit includes all women treated between 1 January 2008 and 31 March 2009.

The MBR Audit is funded by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership to assess and improve the quality of care provided to women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. The audit will evaluate the care process and measure treatment outcomes for these women.

Access all the audit's annual reports.

What are the aims of the audit?

The audit will:

  • describe provision of and access to breast reconstruction in England and Wales
  • evaluate current clinical practice in mastectomy and breast reconstruction
  • measure outcomes following mastectomy with or without reconstruction
  • assess the quality of information provided to women undergoing mastectomy and their satisfaction with the reconstructive choices made.

Which patients are included in the audit?

All women aged 16 and over, treated within the NHS and the independent sector in England and Wales, who undergo:

  • mastectomy for primary breast cancer with or without reconstruction
  • delayed reconstruction following a previous mastectomy for primary breast cancer.

Those women undergoing prophylactic mastectomy with or without reconstruction will not be eligible for inclusion.

What are the benefits for patients and healthcare professionals?

The audit will:

  • provide accurate and up-to-date information on the range of mastectomy and reconstructive services available
  • identify barriers to reconstruction, whether in terms of provision or patient access
  • measure patient satisfaction with the care pathway and those outcomes attained
  • quantify such outcomes to better inform patients and aid reconstructive decision making
  • provide comparative local, regional and national data on practice and outcomes
  • directly support the cancer measures element of the Peer Review process
  • satisfy GMC requirements for performance assessment and revalidation expand the evidence base in this area and inform future reconstructive guidelines.