title: Psychological factors in the choice of treatment for breast cancer.
abstract: For several years women with an early diagnosis of breast cancer have been able to choose between two equally effective treatments: modified radical mastectomy and the breast-conserving treatment of lumpectomy plus radiation therapy. This study investigated the psychological factors that become involved when a woman chooses between treatments. Many more anticipatory concerns about body image, disfigurement, femininity, and the ability (or inability) to handle emotionally a mastectomy were expressed by lumpectomy/radiation therapy patients than by mastectomy patients. Those lumpectomy-radiation therapy patients who chose the treatment against medical advice were also found to be more concerned than the others about treatment effects on sexuality.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Pajac
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical / Q000523:psychology*; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012803:Sick Role