The protective effect of a satisfying romantic relationship on women's body image after breast cancer: a longitudinal study

Abstract

How women perceive the impact of breast cancer treatment on their body may be partly determined by the quality of the relational context in which they live.

Patient‐centred communication for women with breast cancer: Relation to body image perception

“…Study findings of respondents who had undergone mastectomy reporting more BI disturbance than their lumpectomy counterparts confirm previous findings about existence of major differences in BI across types of breast surgery (Cairo Notari et al., 2017; Chow et al., 2016; Cororve et al., 2014; Rezaei et al., 2016). We posit that the reason older women reported less BI disturbance than younger women arises from the ability of older women to gradually adapt to the breast loss through social support from families and treatment team, a finding that ties age disparity with BI perception and correlates with increasing evidence that younger women with BC risk having more negative quality of life outcomes than older women (Freedman et al., 2012; Howard‐Anderson et al., 2012; Rosenberg et al., 2013).…”

“…(2016) also found patient age and type of BC treatment had effect on physical and mental stress concerns and concerns about spousal relationship and support. According to findings of current study, there was no correlation between BI and marital status, as previously discussed (Cairo Notari et al., 2017; Kowalczyk et al., 2019). However, these women required medical support from healthcare providers and family members in order to feel normal again (Peerawong et al., 2019).…”

“…This may be due to the Iranian medical culture, where patients largely believe that the physician or nurse is best positioned to make a decision on his or her behalf (Zamanzadeh et al, 2014). Although there are a few studies on impact of communication style of the healthcare team on BI issues, a study by Cairo Notari et al (2017) have shown that women who were satisfied with the communication style between the healthcare provider and themselves, experienced TA B L E 4 Predictors of body image in participants of study less physical impairment than those who are dissatisfied, two weeks after surgery and even up to one year later. Therefore, women's understanding of the destructive effects of mastectomy on the BI is to some extent affected by the quality of the context in which they are treated.…”

“…However, these women required medical support from healthcare providers and family members in order to feel normal again (Peerawong et al., 2019). Although women need support from their husbands after breast surgery in order to adapt to the new BI (Carr et al., 2019), no other studies found a link between marital status and BI but found a link between BI and the quality of sexual and emotional relationship (Cairo Notari et al., 2017; Kowalczyk et al., 2019).…”

From breast cancer surgery to survivorship: Insecure attachment tendencies predict negative psychological outcomes

“…It constitutes a major stressful event, as women have to cope not only with the somatic symptoms related to the disease and its treatment (such as extreme fatigue or body modification), but also with their emotional consequences (Fortner et al, 2002;Manne et al, 2004;Schmid-Büchi et al, 2008). Evidence is strong that elevated stress and unsuccessful coping in this situation predict negative psychological outcomes such as a negative body image (Cairo Notari et al, 2017;Fobair et al, 2006;Helms et al, 2008;White, 2000), impairment of sexual functioning (Cairo Notari et al, 2018;Gilbert et al, 2010;Ussher et al, 2012), elevated psychological distress, and even psychopathology such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorders (Bloom et al, 2004;Burgess et al, 2005;Shimozuma et al, 1999).…”