BACKGROUND: This retrospective study compared psychosocial adjustment, body image, and sexual function in women who had either breast conservation or reconstruction for early stage disease. METHODS: Questionnaires were completed at a mean of 4 years after surgery by 72 women who had partial mastectomy and 146 women who had immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy. RESULTS: In general, fewer than 20% of women reported poor adjustment on the domains measured. The two groups did not differ in overall psychosocial adjustment to illness, body image, or satisfaction with relationships or sexual life. There was a specific advantage of partial mastectomy over breast reconstruction in terms of maintaining pleasure and frequency of breast caressing during sexual activity. Women who had undergone chemotherapy had more sexual dysfunction, poorer body image, and more psychological distress. Hormonal therapy and radiation therapy, however, did not measurably affect quality of life. Factors predictive of greater psychosocial distress included a troubled marriage, a poor body image, sexual dissatisfaction, less education, and treatment with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of local treatment had little psychosexual impact, whereas chemotherapy was associated with long term impairments.
BACKGROUND: This retrospective study compared psychosocial adjustment, body image, and sexual function in women who had either breast conservation or reconstruction for early stage disease. METHODS: Questionnaires were completed at a mean of 4 years after surgery by 72 women who had partial mastectomy and 146 women who had immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy. RESULTS: In general, fewer than 20% of women reported poor adjustment on the domains measured. The two groups did not differ in overall psychosocial adjustment to illness, body image, or satisfaction with relationships or sexual life. There was a specific advantage of partial mastectomy over breast reconstruction in terms of maintaining pleasure and frequency of breast caressing during sexual activity. Women who had undergone chemotherapy had more sexual dysfunction, poorer body image, and more psychological distress. Hormonal therapy and radiation therapy, however, did not measurably affect quality of life. Factors predictive of greater psychosocial distress included a troubled marriage, a poor body image, sexual dissatisfaction, less education, and treatment with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of local treatment had little psychosexual impact, whereas chemotherapy was associated with long term impairments.
Authors: Nancy K Janz; Mahasin Mujahid; Paula M Lantz; Angela Fagerlin; Barbara Salem; Monica Morrow; Dennis Deapen; Steven J Katz Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2005-08 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Ying Liu; Maria Pérez; Mario Schootman; Rebecca L Aft; William E Gillanders; Matthew J Ellis; Donna B Jeffe Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2010-05-06 Impact factor: 4.872
Authors: Karen Kadela Collins; Ying Liu; Mario Schootman; Rebecca Aft; Yan Yan; Grace Dean; Mark Eilers; Donna B Jeffe Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2010-08-05 Impact factor: 4.872