Objective To study the cause of the low rate of breast conservation and reconstruction by investigating the approval degree of breast conserving therapy and breast reconstruction of women with breast diseases, to help the breast surgeons make better communication with the patients and make more pertinent choices of therapeutic methods. Methods The age, occupation, educational background, the attitudes towards breast conserving therapy and breast reconstruction， and the choice of operative method of breast reconstruction of 139 patients with breast cancer and 224 patients with benign breast disease were investigated by questionnaire. Results In breast cancer group, 23.9% （28/117） of patients chose breast conserving therapy and 35.9%（42/117） of patients chose breast reconstruction, while the rates of breast conservation and reconstruction were 53.3% （106/199） and 63.8% （127/199） in benign breast disease group. In both groups, the higher rates of breast conservation and reconstruction were associated with better educational background (in breast cancer group: P=0.029， P=0.296; in benign breast disease group: P=0.081, P=0.019） and lower age (all Plt;0.05). Patients engaged in commerce showed higher rates of breast conservation and reconstruction （in breast cancer group: P=0.013, P=0.042； in benign breast disease group: P=0.032, P=0.044）. Age, occupation or educational background was not related with the choice of operative method of breast reconstruction （Pgt;0.05). Conclusions Patients with lower age, better educational background, and better job condition have ber desire of breast conservation and reconstruction. Breast surgeons should enhance communication with those patients about relevant information of breast conservation and reconstruction to make the more pertinent choice of therapeutic methods.