[Effects of surgery type on body image, sexuality, self-esteem, and marital adjustment in breast cancer: a controlled study].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of surgery type on body image, sexuality, self-esteem and marital adjustment, and to determine the most frequent sexual dysfunction seen among breast cancer survivors.


METHODS
A total of 75 breast cancer survivors (50 patients underwent total mastectomy alone and 25 underwent total mastectomy with breast reconstruction), and 50 healthy volunteers were recruited. All subjects were given the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RS), Body Cathexis Scale (BCS), Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) after the Structured Clinical Interview Diagnosis for DSM-III-R, Non-Patient Form (SCID-NP) had been applied.


RESULTS
The mean scores obtained from GRISS and DAS were similar, but there was a significant statistical difference in terms of the mean scores of the RS and BCS between the three groups. The sexual functioning profile of the subjects was examined by transforming the subscales scores of GRISS into standardized stanine scores. A significant statistical difference in non- communication and avoidance areas of sexual relations was found between the subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery type had no effect on sexual satisfaction or marital adjustment. Total mastectomy had a negative impact on breast perception and self-esteem. Avoidance and non-communication areas of sexual relations were the most frequent sexual dysfunctions seen among breast cancer survivors. Young patients preferred breast reconstruction more widely.
Onen Sertöz
Ozen
O
Elbi Mete
Hayriye
H
Noyan
Ayşin
A
Alper
Mehmet
M
Kapkaç
Murat
M
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*