title: Impact of breast cancer surgery on the self-esteem and sexual life of female patients.
abstract: Patient satisfaction with cosmetic outcome and the psychological impact of breast cancer surgery were evaluated. A total of 207 patients with primary breast cancer, treated with either breast-conserving surgery (n = 83), modified radical mastectomy without reconstruction (n = 108), or mastectomy with delayed breast reconstruction (n = 16) rated their cosmetic outcome and satisfaction following surgery, and the impact of surgery on their self-esteem and sexual life, by questionnaire. Patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery were most satisfied with their surgery and body image, followed by those treated with mastectomy with delayed reconstruction. Although diagnosis of breast cancer had a negative impact on the psychology of all patients, those undergoing breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy with delayed reconstruction were more satisfied and reported a lower impact on their self-esteem and sexual life versus those who only had mastectomy. Diagnosis of breast cancer has a negative psychological impact on the patient, but the type of surgery has a significant role in post-operative self-esteem and sexual life.
authors.affiliation: Breast Unit, Second Department of Surgery, Athens University Medical School - 'Laiko' General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Markopoulos
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tsaroucha
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kouskos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mantas
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Antonopoulou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karvelis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*