A COMPARISON OF BODY-IMAGE, SELF-ESTEEM AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN TOTAL MASTECTOMY AND BREAST-CONSERVING THERAPY IN TURKISH WOMEN

As well as the medical outcomes of two distinct operations, namely tot al mastectomy and breast-conserving therapy, their impact on the psych ic structuring of the patient may differ. A group of 40 woman with who had undergone mastectomy were therefore compared with another 40 with who had received breast-conserving therapy, with regard to the variab les of body image, self-esteem and social support. The women who under went breast-conserving therapy had a more positive body image (P<0.001 ). The two groups showed a negligible difference with respect to self- esteem and social support (P>0.05). A negative correlation was found b etween body image and social support (P<0.05). Patients with total mas tectomy therefore do have a more negative body image than patients rec eiving breast-conserving therapy. Self-esteem and social support in th e postoperative period in two groups are comparable.