scholarly journals The impact of breast cancer on sexuality, body image, and intimate relationships

1991 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. R. Schover
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
The Impact

Psychological Reactions, Quality of Life, and Body Image After Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy in Women At High Risk for Breast Cancer: A Prospective 1-Year Follow-Up Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (24) ◽  
pp. 3943-3949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Brandberg ◽  
Kerstin Sandelin ◽  
Staffan Erikson ◽  
Göran Jurell ◽  
Annelie Liljegren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Prophylactic Mastectomy ◽  
Sexual Pleasure ◽  
Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Purpose To prospectively evaluate body image, sexuality, emotional reactions (anxiety, depression), and quality of life in a sample of women having increased risk for breast cancer before and 6 months and 1 year after bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM), and to compare preoperative expectations of the operation with postoperative reactions concerning the impact on six areas of the women's lives. Patients and Methods A total of 90 of 98 consecutive women who underwent BPM during October 1997 to December 2005 were included. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires (eg, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Swedish Short Term-36 Health Survey, Body Image Scale, Sexual Activity Questionnaire) before the operation (n = 81), and 6 (n = 71) and 12 months (n = 65) after BPM. Results Anxiety decreased over time (P = .0004). No corresponding difference was found for depression. No differences in health-related quality of life over time were found, with one exception. A substantial proportion of the women reported problems with body image 1 year after BPM (eg, self consciousness, 48%; feeling less sexually attractive, 48%; and dissatisfaction with the scars, 44%). Sexual pleasure was rated lower 1-year post-BPM as compared with before operation (P = .005), but no differences over time in habit, discomfort, or activity were found. Conclusion No negative effects on anxiety, depression, and quality of life were found. Anxiety and social activities improved. Negative impact on sexuality and body image was reported.

Influential Forces in Breast Cancer Surgical Decision Making and the Impact on Body Image and Sexual Function

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 3403-3411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Kwait ◽  
Sarah Pesek ◽  
Michaela Onstad ◽  
David Edmonson ◽  
Melissa A. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Surgical Decision ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Surgical Decision Making

scholarly journals Changes in social function and body image in women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Nunes Garcia ◽  
Raquel De Castro Figueiredo Pereira Coelho ◽  
Pamella Naiana Dias dos Santos ◽  
Mariluci Alves Maftum ◽  
Maria De Fátima Mantovani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Social Function ◽  
Nonparametric Tests ◽  
Future Perspective ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Quality Of Life Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study was to investigate the impairment of social and emotional functions, body image and future perspective in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment. This is a longitudinal research conducted from October 2012 to October 2013 at the chemotherapy unit of a private institution of Oncology located in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires were applied, Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 e Quality of Life Questionnaire – Breast Cancer Module, to 48 women subjected for the first time to chemotherapy, in three different stages of the treatment. Analysis with Friedman`s, Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric tests was performed. Changes were observed in social function and body image, which compromised quality of life significantly. Results can subsidize the planning of and adjustments to the care provided to these women by considering the perception about the impact of therapy on QL and their perspectives. 

Study Regarding the Effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in the Case of Patients with Breast Cancer that Present Lymphedema

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
Alexandru Mioc ◽  
Corina Pantea
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Functional Limitation ◽  
Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Manual Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Patient Dissatisfaction ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Lymphedema is defined as a persistent increase of tissue volume caused by the blocked or absent lymphatic drainage. The purpose of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of lymphatic drainage in the treatment of lymphedema after a mastectomy, with the aim of reducing the volume of the lymphedema and improving overall symptomatology, as well as providing information regarding the impact of this treatment on quality-of-life and the physical limitations of these patients. With these objectives in mind, a series of articles evaluating the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage in the case of patients with breast cancer and lymphedema have been studied. The parameters under observation were: duration of lymphedema reduction and improved symptomatology (pain, a feeling of swelling of the upper limb, functional limitation, and patient dissatisfaction towards their body image). Following this analysis, one can conclude that the association of manual lymphatic drainage to physical exercise and physiotherapy has produced changes in the volume of the limb affected by the lymphedema; however, its isolated use has not resulted in significant changes

Breast Cancer Treatment in Older Women: Does Getting What You Want Improve Your Long-Term Body Image and Mental Health?

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 4002-4009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa I. Figueiredo ◽  
Jennifer Cullen ◽  
Yi-Ting Hwang ◽  
Julia H. Rowland ◽  
Jeanne S. Mandelblatt
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Breast Conservation ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Little is known about the impact of surgical treatment on body image and health outcomes in older breast cancer patients. The purpose of this article is to evaluate whether concordance between treatment received and treatment preferences predicts posttreatment body image and whether body image, in turn, affects mental health in older women with breast cancer 2 years after treatment. Patients and Methods A longitudinal cohort of 563 women who were 67 years old or older and who had stages I and II breast cancer were surveyed by telephone at 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery. All women were clinically eligible for breast conservation. Body image was measured using questions adapted from the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System–Short Form, and mental health was evaluated using a Medical Outcomes Study subscale. Results Body image was an important factor in treatment decisions for 31% of women. Women who received breast conservation had better body image 2 years after treatment than women who had mastectomies (P < .0001). Women who preferred breast conservation but received mastectomy had the poorest body image. Using generalized estimating equations, we found that body image, in turn, predicted 2-year mental health. Conclusion Body image is important for many older women, and receiving treatment consistent with preferences about appearance was important in long-term mental health outcomes. Health professionals should elicit preferences about appearance from women and provide treatment choices in concordance with these preferences. Enhancing shared decision making has the potential to improve mental health in older breast cancer survivors.

scholarly journals The impact of mastectomy on body image and sexuality in women with breast cancer: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-115
Author(s):  
Bárbara Martins Faria ◽  
Isabela Martins Rodrigues ◽  
Leticia Verri Marquez ◽  
Uriel Da Silva Pires ◽  
Stefan Vilges de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Text Analysis ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Breast Surgery ◽  
Breast Conserving Surgery ◽  
Therapeutic Choice ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the impact of mastectomy on body image and sexuality of women with breast cancer, as well as to provide a general understanding of their quality of life. Method: This review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The expression “Mastectomy AND (sexuality OR “body image”)” was searched in Lilacs, Scielo, Pubmed and Scopus databases. Articles published in English, Portuguese and Spanish between 2010 and 2020 were selected. The text analysis was carried out by peers. Results: 69.3% (43) of the studies presented mastectomy as a technique that worsens body image, sexual functioning and quality of life of women. Less radical procedures, such as breast-conserving surgery, showed lower impact on these indicators. Breast reconstruction is an alternative to mitigate breast surgery impacts. Conclusion: Mastectomy caused the major impacts on body image, sexual functioning and quality of life. These implications need to be considered during therapeutic choice.

scholarly journals Body Image in BRCA-Positive Young Women Following Bilateral Risk-Reducing Mastectomy: A Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christa Torrisi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Risk Reducing ◽  
Brca Gene Mutation

Background/Significance: The presence of a breast cancer (BRCA) gene mutation increases a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy is a proactive treatment option which lowers that risk. However, breast removal can create a change in physical appearance. It is unclear if BRCA-positive women undergoing this surgery in young adulthood, a life stage where intimate relationships, families, and careers are being established, have the same experience with body image as women in later stages of life.Purpose: The aim of this literature review is to assess how bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy impacts body image in young BRCA-positive women less than 40 years of age, with no history of breast cancer.Methods: Database searches were performed, yielding 402 results. Studies were considered if participants had an increased lifetime breast cancer risk/BRCA-positive diagnosis and history of bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy, body image was evaluated, and mean age was less than 40 years. A total of three qualitative studies and three quantitative studies were identified as relevant for this review.Results: A dearth of information exists on body image in young women following bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy. It was found in this review that some women experienced a decline in body image following surgery, while in others body image was maintained or improved.Conclusion: Understanding factors that impact body image following this risk-reducing surgery will allow clinicians to support this unique population. Open and informative discussion should be encouraged with young women considering, or who have undergone, bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy.

Quality of Life Among Younger Women With Breast Cancer

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (15) ◽  
pp. 3322-3330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. Avis ◽  
Sybil Crawford ◽  
Janeen Manuel
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Image Problems

Purpose To describe quality of life (QOL) of younger women 4 to 42 months after breast cancer diagnosis and to identify factors associated with impaired QOL. Methods A total of 202 women diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer at age 50 or younger from 4 to 42 months after breast cancer diagnosis previously completed a mailed survey. Global QOL; health-related QOL as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast Cancer (FACT-B); medical history; symptoms; days of work/activity missed after diagnosis; relationship, sexual, and body image problems; coping strategies; and feelings of preparedness were measured. Results General aches and pains and unhappiness with appearance were reported by more than 70% of women. Hot flashes (P = .0007), pain with sexual intercourse (P = .02), and difficulty with bladder control (P = .002) all significantly increased with age. Global QOL was significantly lower than for a nonpatient sample of younger women (P < .0001). In general, few sociodemographic and medical factors were related to QOL. In multivariate analyses, days of work/usual activity missed immediately after diagnosis; relationship, sexual, or body image problems after diagnosis; and coping strategies were related to almost all QOL domains. Ongoing treatment, vaginal dryness, and feeling unprepared for the impact of breast cancer were related to some domains. Conclusion Younger breast cancer survivors are at risk for impaired QOL up to several years after diagnosis. Younger women, especially those at high risk for lower QOL, may need interventions that specifically target their needs related to menopausal symptoms and problems with relationships, sexual functioning, and body image. Preparing younger woman for the impact of breast cancer may also prove beneficial.

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