Women's recovery experiences after breast cancer reconstruction surgery.
Many women with early-stage breast cancer choose breast reconstruction following mastectomy with the goal to improve physical and psychological quality of life. Breast reconstruction procedures vary in surgical complexity, types of postsurgical complications, and time to recovery, all of which can affect a women's well-being. Although there is a growing body of literature on the satisfaction with aesthetic outcomes following breast reconstruction, there is little research addressing the recovery process. This qualitative study explores woman's physical and emotional recovery experiences. Findings may be useful for improving educational and counseling services for women who undergo breast cancer reconstructive surgeries.
Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. dspector@email.unc.edu
Denise J
DJ
Spector
Deborah K
DK
Mayer
Kathleen
K
Knafl
Andrea
A
Pusic
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*