The purpose of this study was to analyze the available evidence concerning the effects of breast reconstruction (BR) on body image of women with breast cancer. BR is a potential intervention to improve the body image of women with breast cancer. Conflicting research findings about the effects of breast reconstructive surgery on body image compared to breast conservative surgery (BCS) or mastectomy exist. A meta-analysis of studies found in MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed as well as PQDT (dissertation and theses), and other unpublished literature resources from 1970 to 2010 were searched. Comparable studies that examined the difference of body image between breast cancer women receiving mastectomy plus BR and those with BCS were included. A clear definition about the domains of body image including body stigma, body concern, and transparency were identified. Mean effect sizes were calculated. Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. Women with BR and BCS were no different on the body concern domain of body image. However, women with BR had a significantly worse score on body stigma domain of body image than women receiving BCS. Women with BR had a better body image score than women with mastectomy. Women who are satisfied with their body shape may still perceive deficiencies because of the stigma of mastectomy and affect on body image. Consistent application of valid and reliable measures of body image specific to breast cancer women is needed.

Health care providers may cultivate a spiritual approach, providing success stories to create positive images of the disease's outcomes and increase patients' confidence to control the disease.

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The literature comparing the effects of breast reconstructive surgery, breast-conserving surgery, and mastectomy on body image and mental health yields conflicting results. Objectified body consciousness may be a factor that influences the psychological well-being of breast cancer survivors. Women with average time of 19 months from breast cancer surgery were approached in outpatient clinics to participate in our study. Using structural equation modeling, we tested and verified a model that included self-reported objectified body consciousness, cancer-related body image discomfort, and depression among 193 breast cancer survivors in Taiwan. Our results provided support for the hypothesized indirect relation of objectified body consciousness with depression through the mediating role of cancer-related body image discomfort. Specifically, women with higher objectified body consciousness levels reported more cancer-related body image discomfort, which in turn was related to greater depression. Additionally, the degree of this mediation relationship across surgery types was different. These findings are significant to clinicians who should be cognizant of the potential role of objectified body consciousness in promoting cancer-related body image discomfort and depression in breast cancer survivors. Encouraging women to clarify their perceptions of their new bodies and providing care combined with psychological counseling after breast cancer surgery are critical.

Our study demonstrated that negative marital coping using self-blame and avoidance mediated the association between body image and sexual relationship. Future interventions to address the body image and sexual life of breast cancer survivors should be considered using positive approaches that prevent disengaged avoidance or self-blame coping efforts intended to deal with marital stress.

Objective: The aims of the study were to modify the Cancer Survivor 0 s Unmet Need (CaSUN) Scale into a short form and then test its psychometric scale-specific properties for breast cancer survivors in Taiwan.Methods: Using convenience sampling, recruited breast cancer survivors were separated into 2 samples (sample 1, n = 150, and sample 2, n = 162). First, we translated and modified the CaSUN to ensure cultural adaptation. Second, we used statistical methods to eliminate some items and conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using sample 1 to explore the factor structure of the CaSUN-C. Finally, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis using sample 2 to confirm the structure suggested by the EFA and tested the criterion validity and known-group validity of the CaSUN-C.Results: Twenty items within 4 factors (information, physical /psychological, medical care, and communication needs) were identified for the CaSUN-C. Each factor had acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach 0 s Alpha = .61 to .82). The criterion validity was supported by the significant correlations between the CaSUN-C scores and scores on fear of recurrence and depression.Known-group comparisons revealed that women who survived more than 60 months had fewer physical/psychological needs than those less 60 months, which supported the validity of CaSUN-C. Conclusion:The CaSUN-C demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity for assessing unmet needs among breast cancer survivors in Taiwan. Using this simple assessment to target the individual needs of these survivors can help healthcare professionals provide personalized care efficiently. . 2 As the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer has continued to increase, the length of time that patients live with breast cancer has also increased, requiring healthcare providers to attend to and emphasize the quality of life of these women.Breast cancer survivors report more care needs than is the case with other cancer patients who have better prognoses (eg, prostate, skin, and colorectal cancers), 3 and this trend may last even after 10 years. 4 Their physical and emotional states as well as their quality of life gradually recover over time, resulting in a positive attitude toward life after many years of cancer. 5 However, studies have shown that although breast cancer survivors are positive about their health, the delayed or long-term side effects of breast cancer treatments cause concern and an ever-present fear of recurrence (FOR). 6,7 Moreover, the risk of suffering a metabolic disease such as obesity,

Medical teams should provide female BC patients with complete medical information, and through partner involvement, women can be supported to make an appropriate decision regarding BR to achieve optimal levels of body image and lower levels of decision regret.

The more empathy women perceived from partners, the fewer depressive symptoms women reported. Empathy from a partner could moderate the impact of body image changes on depressive symptoms. Women's depressive symptoms, resulting from a change in body image after breast cancer surgery, might be minimized if they perceived greater empathy from their partners.