title: Evaluation of Social Support, Quality of Life, and Body Image in Women with Breast Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was aimed at comparing the quality of life, body image, and perceived social support in women with breast cancer surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients receiving breast-conserving surgery (BCS) (n = 72), mastectomy alone (n = 44), and mastectomy with breast reconstruction (n = 41) were evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the EORTC Breast Cancer Module (QLQ-BR23), the Body Image Scale (BIS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that the BCS group had a better body image compared with the other 2 groups and better role functioning compared with the mastectomy-alone group. In the reconstruction group, body image correlated with perceived social support, especially from family and significant others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that a positive perception of a supportive social network can help women with breast reconstruction to better cope with the psychological effects of surgery on their body image.
authors.affiliation: Palliative Care Unit, San Carlo Hospital, Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spatuzzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, INRCA-IRCCS National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vespa
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Primo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lorenzi
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Descriptive Epidemiology Unit ISPO-Cancer Research and Prevention Institute, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miccinesi
authors.affiliation: Palliative Care Unit, San Carlo Hospital, Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ricciuti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Madonna delle Grazie Hospital, Matera, Italy.
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cifarelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Madonna delle Grazie Hospital, Matera, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Susi
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oncology Referral Center of Basilicata, IRCCS, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fabrizio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, INRCA-IRCCS National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Marica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, INRCA-IRCCS National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Giulietti
authors.affiliation: Hospice 'Casa di Betania' Palliative Care Center, Tricase (Le), Italy.
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Merico
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Oncology Referral Center of Basilicata, IRCCS, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aieta
keywords: Body image; Breast cancer; Quality of life; Social support