Eureka! Institutional Repository

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs due to the uncontrolled, rapid proliferation of cells. According to epidemiological data, one in eight women, about 12.5%, will develop breast cancer. It is rarely found in men. The majority of women affected by breast cancer undergo some form of surgery, based on the size and spread of the disease, removing either part or the entire breast. This development can affect them both physically and psychologically as their personal and social life is changing. Often, women experience discomfort around treatment, for fear of recurrence of the disease and their effect on their sex life. Of particular importance is the measurement of the quality of life and self-esteem of women with mastectomy since it reflects the state of their health. The purpose of this research is to investigate the level of self-esteem of women who underwent mastectomy as well as their adaptation to the "new data" of their external appearance. A total of 81 women with breast cancer who had undergone mastectomy participated in the survey. The questionnaires used are: a) Rosenberg's self-esteem questionnaire and b) the questionnaire "Questionnaire for women who have had mastectomy surgery" (Eighteen month patient questionnaire) designed by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and which was adopted for the purposes of this study to investigate their view of their external appearance, after mastectomy; It was found that women after mastectomy have quite accepted their new body image and that they feel quite healthy psychologically. In addition, it was observed that the two variables, that of self-esteem and acceptance of body image, are related to each other, as self-esteem increases, the acceptance of external appearance increases. In general, the self-esteem of women with mastectomy remains at healthy levels. In addition, the findings of this study show that women experience reduced attractiveness as well as lack of femininity after mastectomy. The midwife has an important place both in the prevention of breast cancer and in the care and in the information and education of women with mastectomy and can contribute significantly to their psychological support.