UNDATED (AP) -- A new study suggests doctors aren't talking about breast reconstruction with women before cancer surgery -- a topic that could influence their decisions.

Only a third of the roughly 1,200 women in the study said surgeons discussed cosmetic remedies. When the topic did come up, women were four times more likely to opt for a mastectomy, the more drastic option.

That could be because implants aren't available for reshaping odd defects left by lumpectomies. But mastectomies are a dubious choice because breast-conserving lumpectomies usually suffice.

The University of Michigan plastic surgeon who authored the study says the point is not to endorse one option over another, but to put all the information on the table for patients.

The study was published online by the journal Cancer.