title: Immediate breast reconstruction and psychological adjustment in women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer: a preliminary study.
abstract: Current debate exists regarding the timing of reconstructive surgery following mastectomy for breast cancer, with research pointing in favour of immediate reconstruction. This cross-sectional study sought to compare the psychological outcome of breast cancer treatment in women who had either received mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using autogenous tissue (n = 30), or mastectomy alone (n = 34), and also determine adjustment factors in this population as a whole. Participants completed measures of depression, anxiety, body image, self-esteem, coping and perceived social support at a time point 3 - 15 months after initial surgery. No significant differences were revealed between the two groups on any of the outcome measures. Poor body image, low self-esteem, and a tendency to use coping strategies characterized by helpless/hopelessness and anxious preoccupation, rather than fighting spirit, were highly predictive of distress. Reasons for the lack of differences between the two groups are explored.
authors.affiliation: a      Forensic Psychology Service   ,  The Oxford Clinic, Littlemore Mental Health Centre   ,  Oxford ,    UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holly
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beedie