20 January 2026
San Sebastian Campus
On 20 January, the study “Analysis and description of the risk of discrimination and the use of healthcare resources by mastectomised women” was presented at Emakunde’s headquarters. The report, published as a result of the grant awarded by Emakunde for research on Equality between Women and Men, examines the decision-making process and the quality of decisions regarding the different surgical options for women who must undergo a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer. The Director of Emakunde, Miren Elgarresta, presented the research: "Project I-MAST: Analysis and description of the risk of discrimination and the use of healthcare resources by mastectomised women”, conducted by the team of researchers from the University of Deusto: Garbiñe Lozano, Maialen Araolaza, Maider Lamarain, Olalla Ondarra, Alazne Mujica, Olatz Mercader, and Ane Arbillaga.
The researchers collected information both from mastectomised women, focusing on their subsequent decision to undergo reconstruction or not, and from healthcare professionals, with the aim of developing proposals and recommendations to improve the patient decision-making process. As the authors detail in their report, the choice of surgical treatment for breast cancer largely depends on the characteristics of the tumour and the patient’s preferences. When clinical circumstances allow, women can choose the type of surgical intervention, and at that point, they face a decision-making process that should be guided by clinical evidence and the patient’s preferences. "It is essential to ensure that women’s decisions are well-informed and made collaboratively, in consultation with healthcare professionals.”
However, aesthetic pressures or a lack of information can influence this decision-making process. In this regard, the Director of Emakunde, Miren Elgarresta, stated that “from the perspective of equality, autonomy, and women’s freedom, it is important that the decisions they make are fully independent, free from any pressure, and based on complete information, with all options presented as valid and respectable. Autonomy is not only the ability to choose, but also the possibility of doing so free from symbolic pressures.”
According to the report, many women facing breast cancer and subsequent surgery feel pressure to conform to female beauty standards. For this reason, the researchers propose designing and implementing strategies to improve self-acceptance, relationships, and self-esteem “to promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of women undergoing any type of breast surgery.”
With regard to healthcare professionals, the research team recommends improving communication skills and ensuring neutrality. They emphasise that all aspects of care processes should be optimised to allow longer consultations and expanded resources, so as to ensure more comprehensive and higher-quality care, among other measures.
