title: Partner relationships after mastectomy in women not offered breast reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study assessed the degree to which undergoing a mastectomy without reconstructive surgery negatively impacts the patient's psychological state. We focus on body image and self-esteem as well as the influence of mastectomy on patient sex lives and partnership relations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were 60 women, either married or in a relationship, who had had a mastectomy because of breast cancer and no subsequent reconstructive surgery. A marital happiness questionnaire was used to evaluate the research problem.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgery negatively impacted partnership relations for 33% of participants. In particular, 31% reported deterioration in attractiveness; 31%, a feeling of malaise; and 30%, that their partners perceived them as less attractive. Moreover, 80% in the youngest group reported that they covered their body during intimate contact, whereas 58% in the oldest age group reported the same behaviour. Deterioration in satisfaction with sex life and in the pleasure of sexual intercourse was indicated by 71% and 77%, respectively. Correspondingly, 71% also noticed a decrease in sexual activity, with 76% of participants aged 50-65 years reporting such a decline. The oldest women were also less satisfied with their sexual intercourse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast excision due to cancer negatively impacted the quality of sexual life for 71% of participants. Partnership relations after surgery remained unchanged for 67% of them. There was significant impact of surgery on the perception of one's own body.
authors.affiliation: Silesian Piasts University of Medicine in Wrocław, Department of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andrzejczak
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Markocka-Mączka
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lewandowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires