Psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast cancer patients presenting at an academic radiotherapy oncology centre in Ghana
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice
Abstract
Introduction: Mastectomy is a treatment option for patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
There is very limited research into the psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast
cancer patients, especially in the sub-Saharan African setting which has unique cultural norms.
The study aimed at assessing the psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast cancer
patients attending a radiotherapy/oncology centre in Ghana.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to undertake this study. A total of 80 female
mastectomy breast cancer patients participated in this study. A semi-structured questionnaire
was used for data collection over a 5-month period, January to May 2018. The data collected
were analysed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.
Results: Most of the participants were adversely affected psychologically and emotionally by
mastectomy. In particular, many (56·7%) agreed that they felt less feminine, and 71%
reported they experienced psychological distress as a result of their mastectomy, while
63%of them reported loss of self-confidence. A large proportion of them (51, 63·8%) agreed
that their lifestyles had changed following mastectomy, while 58% of them admitted that
they felt treated as outcasts by society, and 75% resorted to the use of breast prostheses
to reduce attention.
Conclusion: The study revealed that mastectomy for breast cancer patients had a negative
impact on their psychological, emotional and social well-being. The availability of affordable
breast prostheses, involvement of clinical psychologists in the care of post-mastectomy women,
provision of emotional, psychological and even financial support could alleviate the psychosocial
impact of affected women.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
breast cancer, emotional, mastectomy, prostheses, psychosocial