Brief Overview about Body Image and Feeling of Loneliness among Post Mastectomy Women

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most serious diseases affecting physical, psychological and social health of women. Mastectomy is not an easy decision for any woman as it leads to changes in her everyday life and has significantly negative influence on those women body image. Body image issues secondary to BC treatment can stem from external, visible changes, such as the surgical loss of breast tissues and scarring, chemotherapy-induced hair loss and weight change, and radiation-induced skin damage and discoloration. Although visible alterations are an obvious source of body image distress, nonvisible changes such as loss of sensation in the breast, nipple, and surrounding skin and internal changes to a woman’s sense of her femininity, sensuality, and level of attractiveness have potential to significantly disrupt body image. In addition, disruption of body image is correlated with other domains of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, feeling of loneliness, fatigue, and a fear of cancer recurrence. Women who undergo mastectomy following breast cancer can experience a variety of significant changes to their bodies, which can affect their mental well-being and quality of life. This article reports the findings of a literature review of women’s perceptions of their body image, post-mastectomy without reconstruction.