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Psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast cancer patients presenting at an academic radiotherapy oncology centre in Ghana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2020

A. M. Anim-Sampong ,
V. Vanderpuye ,
B. O. Botwe Open the ORCID record for B. O. Botwe [Opens in a new window]  and
S. Anim-Sampong
A. M. Anim-Sampong
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana School of Biomedical & Allied Health Sciences, Accra, Ghana Sweden Ghana Medical Centre, Accra, Ghana.
V. Vanderpuye
Affiliation:
National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicince Centre, KBTH, Accra, Ghana
B. O. Botwe*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana School of Biomedical & Allied Health Sciences, Accra, Ghana
S. Anim-Sampong
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana School of Biomedical & Allied Health Sciences, Accra, Ghana
*
Author for correspondence: B. O. Botwe, Department of Radiography, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana School of Biomedical & Allied Health Sciences, P.O Box KB 143, Accra, Ghana. Tel:+233244029365. Email: sirbenard13@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction:

Mastectomy is a treatment option for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. There is very limited research into the psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast cancer patients, especially in the sub-Saharan African setting which has unique cultural norms. The study aimed at assessing the psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast cancer patients attending a radiotherapy/oncology centre in Ghana.

Methods:

A cross-sectional design was used to undertake this study. A total of 80 female mastectomy breast cancer patients participated in this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection over a 5-month period, January to May 2018. The data collected were analysed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.

Results:

Most of the participants were adversely affected psychologically and emotionally by mastectomy. In particular, many (56·7%) agreed that they felt less feminine, and 71% reported they experienced psychological distress as a result of their mastectomy, while 63% of them reported loss of self-confidence. A large proportion of them (51, 63·8%) agreed that their lifestyles had changed following mastectomy, while 58% of them admitted that they felt treated as outcasts by society, and 75% resorted to the use of breast prostheses to reduce attention.

Conclusion:

The study revealed that mastectomy for breast cancer patients had a negative impact on their psychological, emotional and social well-being. The availability of affordable breast prostheses, involvement of clinical psychologists in the care of post-mastectomy women, provision of emotional, psychological and even financial support could alleviate the psychosocial impact of affected women.

Keywords

breast canceremotionalmastectomyprosthesespsychosocial
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , September 2021 , pp. 306 - 315
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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