Choice of surgery for early breast cancer: psychosocial considerations.
A prospective study was conducted with early breast cancer patients who had either been offered, or not been offered, a choice of surgery for treatment. The choice involved mastectomy or wide excision plus radiotherapy. Available evidence suggests that the medical outcome between these two options is similar; this study was designed to investigate selected psychosocial outcomes. It was found that whether or not patients were given a choice was of greater relevance to psychosocial outcomes that was the type of operation performed. Providing a choice led to improved reported adjustments with respect to the ability to undertake work, attitudes towards the future, beliefs about coping, and in physical and psychological functioning.
Morris
J
J
Department of Psychology, The University, Southampton, England.
Ingham
R
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior