| Summary: | Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe and analyse the factors which influence utilization of EBPs among breast cancer patients worldwide and particularly in China.
Methods: Literature searches were conducted in Wanfang, CNKI, and PubMed databses in order to identify relevant articles published in both Chinese and English up to October 2014. The phrase “external breast prosthesis” in Chinese was used to search titles, abstracts, and key words to find articles in Wanfang and CNKI electronic databases. Synonyms and related terms for external breast prosthesis were combined and used for searches performed in PubMed. Additional references were subsequently extracted from the bibliographies of all included articles and reviews. Qualitative analysis was applied in this study rather than meta-analysis.
Results: The number of relevant studies published in other countries is five times greater than the literature published in China, with most articles written by Australian scientists. Based on the existing references, reconstruction, comfort, appearance, cost, mental status, and supportive information were the main factors influencing choice of treatment options by patients.
Conclusion: Six main factors influencing EBP use worldwide were identified. Although the number of breast cancer cases per year is increasing at a much higher rate in China relative to the average number globally, relevant studies on Chinese patients are lacking. Thus, further studies should be undertaken in China in order to develop effective service modalities in order to improve quality of life of patients.
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