‘Living Flat’ after mastectomy: Australian women’s experiences of flat closure surgery

Smith Robyn; Melanie Law; Joanna Atzori; Marina Brown; Fiona Crawford-Williams

doi:10.25957/g5a7-n113

‘Living Flat’ after mastectomy: Australian women’s experiences of flat closure surgery

Smith Robyn, Melanie Law, Joanna Atzori, Marina Brown, Fiona Crawford-Williams

Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report

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Abstract

Thousands of Australian women undergo mastectomy to treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer each year. At this challenging time, women often rely on their healthcare professionals for guidance and support.
The option of flat closure surgery, or ‘going flat’, may be downplayed, discouraged, or absent from discussions women have with healthcare professionals.
Women, by necessity or choice, look for information and support about going flat—and living flat— outside of their healthcare providers. Written materials, online resources, and support groups are frequently sought by women. Yet, there is a lack of Australian-specific sources.
Most women who have undergone flat closure surgery are satisfied with their decision.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Bedford Park, South Australia
Publisher	Flinders University
Number of pages	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.25957/g5a7-n113
Publication status	Published - Jun 2025

Keywords

Breast cancer
Mastectomy
Breast reconstruction
Flat closure surgery

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.25957/g5a7-n113Licence: In Copyright

Final published versionFinal published version, 3.88 MBLicence: In Copyright

Cite this

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title = "{\textquoteleft}Living Flat{\textquoteright} after mastectomy: Australian women{\textquoteright}s experiences of flat closure surgery",

abstract = "Thousands of Australian women undergo mastectomy to treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer each year. At this challenging time, women often rely on their healthcare professionals for guidance and support.The option of flat closure surgery, or {\textquoteleft}going flat{\textquoteright}, may be downplayed, discouraged, or absent from discussions women have with healthcare professionals.Women, by necessity or choice, look for information and support about going flat—and living flat— outside of their healthcare providers. Written materials, online resources, and support groups are frequently sought by women. Yet, there is a lack of Australian-specific sources.Most women who have undergone flat closure surgery are satisfied with their decision.",

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AU - Atzori, Joanna

AU - Brown, Marina

AU - Crawford-Williams, Fiona

PY - 2025/6

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N2 - Thousands of Australian women undergo mastectomy to treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer each year. At this challenging time, women often rely on their healthcare professionals for guidance and support.The option of flat closure surgery, or ‘going flat’, may be downplayed, discouraged, or absent from discussions women have with healthcare professionals.Women, by necessity or choice, look for information and support about going flat—and living flat— outside of their healthcare providers. Written materials, online resources, and support groups are frequently sought by women. Yet, there is a lack of Australian-specific sources.Most women who have undergone flat closure surgery are satisfied with their decision.

AB - Thousands of Australian women undergo mastectomy to treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer each year. At this challenging time, women often rely on their healthcare professionals for guidance and support.The option of flat closure surgery, or ‘going flat’, may be downplayed, discouraged, or absent from discussions women have with healthcare professionals.Women, by necessity or choice, look for information and support about going flat—and living flat— outside of their healthcare providers. Written materials, online resources, and support groups are frequently sought by women. Yet, there is a lack of Australian-specific sources.Most women who have undergone flat closure surgery are satisfied with their decision.

KW - Breast cancer

KW - Mastectomy

KW - Breast reconstruction

KW - Flat closure surgery

U2 - 10.25957/g5a7-n113

DO - 10.25957/g5a7-n113

M3 - Commissioned report

BT - ‘Living Flat’ after mastectomy

PB - Flinders University

CY - Bedford Park, South Australia

ER -

‘Living Flat’ after mastectomy: Australian women’s experiences of flat closure surgery

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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