Altered body image : the effects of mastectomy in young women

Abstract

Although breast cancer in young women is considered rare and uncommon, one should note that a quarter of those affected, are young women below the age of 50 years and the cases are on the increase. The needs of young women are different than those of older women, due to the nature of the illness and treatment. Body image embodies more than just the physical attributes; it includes the person's integrity and the functionality of one's roles. The body image is altered when there is a gap between how women looked at themselves before and how they see themselves now after the trajectory. Young women who undergo mastectomy have to adapt to changes due to the mutilating effect of the surgery. The purpose of this study is to investigate the women's experience in a holistic manner. Altered body image affects both the physical and the psychological wellbeing of women especially when they are still young. These body changes disrupt the body image in several negative ways, and can lead to denial of the new altered body. The female breasts in some cultures such as the western world are firmly identified with attractiveness, eroticism and sexuality. Femininity is highly associated with breasts, therefore due to the nature of mastectomy women feel that they lost their femininity and womanhood. From the interviews it resulted that support is immensely important not only from family, friends and the workplace but also from support groups. Women felt that they could relate and speak about their struggles they face; this improves their mental well-being and acceptance of themselves positively.