Abstract

PINTO, Adriana Carvalho  and  GIOIA-MARTINS, Dinorah Fernandes. Qualidade de vida subseqüente à mastectomia: subsídios para intervenção psicológica. Rev. SBPH [online]. 2006, vol.9, n.2, pp.3-27. ISSN 1516-0858.

This research searched into the modifications occurred in the body image of the mastectomized woman and how this new body image interferes in the patient’s quality of life. The sample consisted of 5 women, between 35 and 51 years old, with breast cancer, who went through mastectomy surgery. The used instruments were: semi-structured interview; Human Figure Drawing Test (D.F.H.) and the quality on life questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC-BR23. It was observed disorganization of the body scheme, leading to feelings of ugliness; not being feminine and deep dissatisfaction with their bodies. Insecurity, despair and death fear are recurrent, since these women have difficulties in establishing relationships, always expressing their feelings with the aim of being approved. Mastectomy should not be understood as the simple loss of the breast, but as a femininity and body image rupture, which resulted in changes and insecurities, which makes psychological support fundamental in this phase.

Keywords : Mastectomy; Quality of life; Body image; Hospital psychology.

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