A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF POSTOPERATIVE PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH PRIMARY OPERABLE BREAST-CANCER RANDOMIZED TO BREAST-CONSERVATION THERAPY OR MASTECTOMY

In a randomized patient series of 184 women suffering from primary ope rable breast carcinoma, psychosocial adjustment to breast-conserving t herapy (BCT) vs mastectomy (M) was analysed retrospectively, including : (i) a comparison of intergroup characteristics; (ii) patient experie nce of the quality of professional pre-operative information; and (iii ) the extent to which influence on choice of treatment was required. U sing LASA (Linear Analogue Self-Assessment Scale), STAI (State-Trait A nxiety Inventory), and a semi-structured interview, no psychosocial be nefits were found in BCT compared with M, Mean observation time was 31 months (range: 15-65), Body image was less impaired in BCT than in M, Both groups scored highly on professional information, but reported r educed ability to take in such information in the peri-operative perio d. Both groups tended to depend on the surgeon when choosing between s urgical options, Irrespective of primary therapy, women must still con front the fact that they have had cancer, a life-threatening disease w hich may recur, A need for further research into peri-operative inform ation procedures was demonstrated, and some suggestions were derived c oncerning the surgeon's role in deciding on surgical options.