What Women Want to Know About Mastectomiess
December 10, 2004
SAN ANTONIO (Ivanhoe Newswire) —Mastectomies are shown to dramatically reduce the incidence of breast cancer in high-risk patients, but what do women want to know about the surgery?
Researchers reporting at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium presented the results of a survey that was sent to nearly 1,000 women with breast cancer. They found while most of the women surveyed were satisfied with their decision to have a mastectomy, many women had information needs that were not met before having the surgery.
Many of the respondents said they wanted to know more about immediate and long-term issues associated with mastectomy surgery. They said they wanted to know more about pain, numbness and scarring after surgery. They also wanted to know more about negative emotions after surgery — especially depression.
Many respondents also said they wanted to know more about how the surgery would affect their body image and sexuality.
Researchers say identifying these concerns could help doctor and patient communication. They also say the results of this study indicate better communication needs to be established.
Authors conclude, These findings suggest that the information needs of many women undergoing PM (prophylactic mastectomy) and reconstructive surgery are not being sufficiently addressed. Clinicians and health educators should be aware of these needs, develop appropriate materials, and counsel women accordingly.
SOURCE: Julie Monheim at the 27th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio, Dec. 8-11, 2004
