Factors Associated with Body Image and Self-Esteem in Mastectomized Breast Cancer Survivors

Sergio Álvarez-Pardo, José Antonio De Paz, Ena Montserrat Romero-Pérez (), Kora Mónica Portilla-Cueto, Mario A. Horta-Gim, Jerónimo J. González-Bernal, Jessica Fernández-Solana (), Juan Mielgo-Ayuso, Adrián García-Valverde and Josefa González-Santos
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Sergio Álvarez-Pardo: Faculty of Health Science, Isabel I University, 09003 Burgos, Spain
José Antonio De Paz: Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Ena Montserrat Romero-Pérez: Division of Biological Sciences and Health, University of Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
Kora Mónica Portilla-Cueto: Division of Biological Sciences and Health, University of Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
Mario A. Horta-Gim: Division of Biological Sciences and Health, University of Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
Jerónimo J. González-Bernal: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Jessica Fernández-Solana: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Juan Mielgo-Ayuso: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Adrián García-Valverde: Faculty of Health Science, Isabel I University, 09003 Burgos, Spain
Josefa González-Santos: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Body image (BI) and self-esteem (SE) are two fundamental aspects in the evolution of breast cancer (BC), mainly due to surgery, treatment, and the patient’s conception of BI. A dissatisfaction with BI and low SE decreases the subject’s quality of life and increases the risk of recurrence and mortality by BC. The aim of this study is to find out if there is any degree of association between the sociodemographic data of the sample and their BI and SE. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 198 women diagnosed with BC, aged 30–80 years, in Mexico. Women’s BI and SE were assessed using two questionnaires, Hopwood Body Image Scale (S-BIS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The results show significant differences in several items when the variable sense of humor is taken into account, indicating that women with a sense of humor report higher satisfaction with their BI and higher SE. The age also indicates a significantly better BI in women over 50 years of age, as well as the education level variable, where those women who had studied up to secondary reported higher satisfaction with their BI; the family history shows that those women without a family history report better SE. All these data are supported by stepwise regression, which shows that educational level and sense of humor are predictors of BI, and family history along with breast reconstruction and sense of humor are predictors as of SE. In conclusion, it is important to take into account the characteristics of women with BC, particularly age and sense of humor, in order to reduce the impact of the disease on their BI and SE with the help of a multidisciplinary team.

Keywords: breast cancer; body image; self-esteem; sense of humor; age (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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