Influence of body image and sexual adjustment on the quality of life of women after mastectomy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0222e.44927Keywords:
quality of life; breast cancer; mastectomy; body image; female sexualityAbstract
Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalent neoplasm among women, representing a significant public health issue. Mastectomy has a substantial impact on quality of life, affecting body image and sexual adjustment, which are influenced by sociodemographic and clinical variables.
Objective: To analyze the influence of body image, sexual adjustment, and sociodemographic and clinical variables on the quality of life of women undergoing mastectomy, using the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale as an assessment tool.
Methods: This is a quantitative, descriptive-correlational, and cross-sectional study conducted with a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 240 women with a mean age of 54.66 years, predominantly European ancestry (98.8%), living with a partner (74.6%), professionally active (79.2%), and with a 9th-grade education (58.8%). Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and SABIS scales.
Results: Post-surgical body image and sexual adjustment were predictors of quality of life, being positively associated with functionality and health status, and negatively with symptom intensity. Diagnosis at a younger age was associated with greater symptom intensity. Chronological age was also related to more intense symptoms. Employment status, marital status, and pre-surgical body image were not significant predictors.
Conclusion: The quality of life in mastectomized women is strongly dependent on psychosocial factors, particularly body image, sexual adjustment, and age at diagnosis, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary support programs focused on improvement quality of life.
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