Shifting Support in Surgical Oncology: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Companion Presence During Breast…

Cohort studySouth Dakota medicine : the journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association· Mar 2026

Shifting Support in Surgical Oncology: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Companion Presence During Breast Reconstruction Consultations Before and During COVID-19.

Kianna Thelen, Molly Lien, Heather Karu

Breast ReconstructionCohort studyClinical practice

Companion presence at breast reconstruction visits was linked to active cancer diagnosis.

Shifting Support in Surgical Oncology: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Companion Presence During Breast Reconstruction Consultations Before and During COVID-19.

Kianna Thelen … Heather Karu

South Dakota medicine · Mar 2026

Background

Support persons are essential in cancer care, particularly during surgical consultations that involve complex decision-making and emotional stress.

Purpose

This study examined patterns of companion presence during breast reconstruction consultations in 2020 and compared findings to a pre-COVID cohort to assess shifting predictors of support-seeking behavior.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of all breast reconstruction consultations (N = 59) at a regional plastic surgery center during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

n = 59

Results

companions were far more common when patients had active cancer, not just a history of it

Active cancer diagnosi

71.9%

No active cancer diagn

25.9%

More results

Despite pandemic restrictions, 51% of patients brought a companion.

In contrast, pre-COVID data showed marital status and travel burden as significant predictors of accompaniment.

Provider notes revealed companions frequently offered emotional support, clarified medical details, and assisted in decision-making.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Support persons remained integral to breast cancer care during COVID-19, particularly for patients facing active disease.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These findings underscore the importance of flexible institutional policies that preserve the patient-companion relationship during emotionally charged consultations.

Shifting Support in Surgical Oncology: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Companion Presence During Breast Reconstruction Consultations Before and During COVID-19.

Shifting Support in Surgical Oncology: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Companion Presence During Breast Reconstruction Consultations Before and During COVID-19.

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