Sexuality, depression and body image after breast reconstruction

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of breast reconstruction after mastectomy on sexual function, body image, and depression. METHODS: This cross-sectional, comparative, controlled study was conducted with 90 women between 18 and 65 years of age who had undergone either mastectomy alone (mastectomy group, n=30) or mastectomy combined with breast reconstruction (mastectomy-reconstruction group, n=30) at least one year prior to the study or who had no breast cancer (control group, n=30). Patients were assessed for sexual function, depression, and body image using the validated Brazilian-Portuguese versions of the Female Sexual Function Index, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination, respectively. RESULTS: The three groups were homogeneous for age, marital status, body mass index, and education level. The women in the mastectomy group reported significantly worse sexual function, greater depressive symptoms, and lower body image than those in the mastectomy-reconstruction and control groups. In the mastectomy group, the frequency of sexual dysfunction was significantly greater among patients without a marital partner and those with a higher level of education than among patients in the other two groups with the same characteristics. CONCLUSION: Patients who had undergone breast reconstruction after mastectomy reported better sexual function and body image and fewer depressive symptoms than patients who had undergone mastectomy alone. Sexual dysfunction was associated with the absence of a marital partner and a higher level of education and was more frequent in the mastectomy group.

Os impactos na autoestima de mulheres mastectomizadas: Revisão integrativa

“…Diante disso, Archangelo et al (2019), enfatizam que os procedimentos diagnósticos e intervenções cirúrgicas menos agressivas às mulheres, ampliam consideravelmente a qualidade de vida, assim como, seu tempo de sobrevida durante o enfrentamento do CA de mama. Outrossim, é imprescindível analisar os fatores biopsicossociais dos indivíduos submetidos a mastectomia, tendo em vista que após avaliação desses determinantes é possível identificar os fatores de risco capazes de interferir no tratamento e na implantação de medidas realizadas pela equipe de saúde.…”

A cirurgia de mastectomia e sua influência no âmbito biopsicossocial feminino

“…Martins et al, (2020) aponta que as brasileiras mastectomizadas com mais disfunções sexuais e danos na sexualidade são as jovens, casadas e inclusive com baixo nível de escolaridade, onde evidenciou-se que as que possuíam escolaridade de nível fundamental tinham maior comprometimento. Em contrapartida, Archangelo et al (2019) afirma maior comprometimento em mulheres espanholas de 48 a 65 anos, tendo aumento da disfunção sexual durante o processo de transição da menopausa. Esses dados são sign0ificativos para identificar uma possível diferença de perfil, que pode ser direcionada pelo modo de viver nesses diferentes países.…”

“…Estudos apontam baixa auto-estima nas mulheres, além da sensação de impotência, e por considerarem sexualmente deficientes e menos atraentes (Rocha et al, 2016;Archangelo et al 2019). (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i8.6566 Rocha et al (2016) afirma que o apoio do parceiro é fundamental para um bom prognostico da mulher.…”

Awareness and Acceptability of Breast Reconstruction Among Women With Breast Cancer: A Prospective Survey

“… 4 - 8 The benefits range from improving body image to decreasing psychosocial morbidity in terms of general mental health, anxiety, and self-esteem. 9 The benefits of reconstruction last beyond the immediate postoperative period and are best seen when the entire process of reconstruction is complete.…”