Body Image and Quality of Life in Women with Mastectomy

Park, Geum Ja; Choi, J S

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the body-image and quality of life in breast cancer patients with mastectomy. METHODS: Data were obtained by self-reported questionaries from 110 patients undergone mastectomy from August 1 to 31, 2007. And data were analyzed using SPSS/PC WIN 12.0 program and frequency, percentage, mean, minimum, maximum, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient were used. The results of the study were as follows; 1) Mean of Body image of the subjects was 52.54+/-6.67 (range of scale; 17 to 85). Mean of quality of life was 118.01+/-34.37 (range of scale; 0 to 10). 2) There was no significant difference with the score of body image by demographic and disease-related characteristics of subjects. 3) There was significant difference with the score of quality of life by the work type and economic status of subjects. 4) Relationship between body image and quality of life showed moderately strong positive correlation (r=0.408, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Mean of body image and of quality of life in mastectomy patients were moderate. Relationship between body image and quality of life showed moderately strong positive correlation. Therefore, for improving the quality of life, it is needed to improve body image in breast cancer patients with mastectomy.