Satisfaction with the Aesthetic Effect and Quality of Life for Women after Breast Conserving Therapy (BCT)—Preliminary Research

Agata Krzos, Andrzej Stanisławek, Marian Jędrych, Marta Łuczyk and Barbara Ślusarska
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Agata Krzos: Department of Oncology, Chair of Oncology and Environmental Health, Medical University of Lublin, S. Staszica 4-6 St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland
Andrzej Stanisławek: Department of Oncology, Chair of Oncology and Environmental Health, Medical University of Lublin, S. Staszica 4-6 St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland
Marian Jędrych: Department of Medical Informatics and Statistics with E-learning Lab, Medical University of Lublin, K. Jaczewskiego 4 St., 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Marta Łuczyk: Department of Oncology, Chair of Oncology and Environmental Health, Medical University of Lublin, S. Staszica 4-6 St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland
Barbara Ślusarska: Department of Family Medicine and Community Nursing, Chair of Oncology and Environmental Health, Medical University of Lublin, S. Staszica 4-6 St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-10

Abstract: All methods of breast cancer treatment may potentially lead to breast deformities, which are often associated with the reduced mental well-being of patients. Breast conserving therapy (BCT) is commonly used, and its core element is breast conserving surgery (BCS).The aim of this study was to determine the level of satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome of surgery and quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer patients undergoing BCT in a longitudinal study performed three months, six months and 12 months after surgery. This longitudinal observational study was carried out on a group of 91 women. The Breast-Q TM BCT 1.0 questionnaire was used in this study. Before surgery, patients assessed their satisfaction with the appearance of their breasts (SwB) at an average level of M = 56.0. Satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome (SwO) of BCS was highest among all patients three months after surgery (M = 63.0). The mean score in the sub-scale of psychosocial well-being (Psycho-soc W-B) before surgery was M = 62.0, while in the subsequent periods of the study, it was higher. The mean score for physical well-being (Physical W-B) before surgery was M = 69.92; and in the subsequent study periods, it was lower. The level of patient satisfaction with the outcome of the surgery and the QoL related to health do not differ significantly in post-operative observation. QoL in terms of psychosocial functioning in patients undergoing BCT is significantly higher 12 months after surgery compared to the pre-operative period. Patient satisfaction with the BCS aesthetic outcome is positively related to the evaluation of QoL in terms of psychosocial functioning.

Keywords: breast cancer; breast-conserving surgery; patient satisfaction; quality of life; Breast-Q (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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