The psychological impact of mastectomy on women with breast cancer / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the psychological impact of mastectomy on women with breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Questionnaires were answered by 90 patients after mastectomy for breast cancer. The data were collected and analyzed regarding the age, occupation, education, income and living place of the patients. Their psychological changes were compared and evaluated statistically using chi-square analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mastectomy caused psychological impact on half of the patients, which included fear of cancer, feeling of body incompleteness, inconvenience in working and social communication, less sexual act and low spirit. 79 percent of the patients considered breast reconstruction unnecessary. 54 percent did not know that the breast could be reconstructed. The patient feelings differed with the age, occupation, income and living place.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mastectomy hurts patient psychological health.</p>