Impact of the Effects of the Reconstructive Surgery in the Life of Women With Breast Cancer

Abstract

This is a descriptive study which aimed to investigate the impact of the effects of reconstructive surgery in the life of women with breast cancer. Semistructured and audiorecorded, interviews were held with 14 women who had had mastectomies, who were registered in a rehabilitation center. Social Representation Theory was used for discussion of the data. Thematic analysis guided the analysis of the data. The categories which emerged from the interviews are related to the way in which the woman sees herself after the reconstruction, and what this meant in her life, and how she perceives its benefits and lives with the resulting limitations. The reconstruction of the breast, in some cases, allowed recovery of self-image and overcoming of the trauma caused by the disease. On the other hand, the postoperative complications gave rise to fear of further loss, fear of compromise in the sexual sphere, and fear in the perception of the reconstructed breast. The health team must offer appropriate information such that the woman may participate in the decisions regarding the operation.

Stages of breast reconstruction and quality of life after breast cancer

“…Thus, breast reconstruction has increasingly assumed a central role in the treatment of breast cancer. For women, reconstruction is understood as the effectiveness and success of breast cancer treatment, as it fills the gap left on their body and helps them to overcome the suffering triggered by the disease 11 .…”

Fatores facilitadores e dificultadores reportados por filhas ao lidarem com a doença e o tratamento oncológico das mães

“…Além disso, estudo realizado por Miranda e Aravena (2012) mostrou que a maior parte das cuidadoras assume a responsabilidade integral de cuidar do familiar acometido por alguma doença; na maioria das vezes elas cumprem as tarefas sozinhas, recebendo pouco apoio social, inclusive da própria família. Especialmente nos períodos mais críticos do tratamento (cirurgia, quimioterapia, radioterapia), a ausência ou insuficiência de suporte familiar aumenta a sobrecarga dos cuidadores (Ambrósio & Santos, 2015;Bergerot et al, 2014;Inocenti et al, 2016).…”

“…Por sua elevada incidência e também por proporcionar elevadas taxas de sobrevivência na atualidade, o câncer de mama apresenta intensas repercussões físicas e psicológicas em muitas mulheres, mesmo após um longo tempo decorrido desde a descoberta e o tratamento (Cesnik et al, 2013;Emslie et al, 2007;Inocenti et al, 2016;Junqueira et al, 2013;Santos & Souza, 2019;Silva et al, 2005;Vidotti et al, 2013;Vieira et al, , 2014. Estudo com 16 mulheres submetidas à mastectomia (retirada da mama) total ou parcial, seguida de quimioterapia e/ou radioterapia, identificou estressores físicos e sequelas duradouras que não se limitam ao corpo e organismo das pacientes (Silva & Santos, 2008).…”

Reconstrução mamária imediata versus não reconstrução pós-mastectomia: estudo sobre qualidade de vida, dor e funcionalidade

“…QoL has been a major concern of health professionals, beyond the time of survival free from the disease. In this context, the advances of oncological surgical techniques enable immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy, improving the physical and psychological integrity of patients without hindering oncological safety [4][5][6] . Immediate breast reconstruction with expanders or silicone prostheses has become the preferential option for both doctors and patients, because of its simplicity, lower total surgical time, minimal scarring, and immediate aesthetic results 7 .…”