The impact of scars on health-related quality of life after breast surgery: a qualitative exploration.
J Cancer Surviv
; 15(2): 224-233, 2021 04.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32816201
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this research was to explore women's experiences after breast surgery with scar characteristics and symptoms, and its impact on their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). MATERIAL ANDMETHODS:
A qualitative study using semi-structured face-to-face interviews was conducted among women following prophylactic, oncologic, or reconstructive breast surgery in the Netherlands. A directed content analysis was performed using guiding themes. Themes were "physical and sensory symptoms," "impact of scar symptoms," "personal factors," "impact of scar interventions," and "change over time."RESULTS:
The study population consisted of 26 women after breast surgery. Women experienced a wide range of symptoms like adherence, stiffness, pain, and uncomfortable sensations. Scar characteristics as visibility, location, texture, and size, influenced satisfaction with their appearance. The impact of scar symptoms is reflected in physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning, thereby affecting HRQOL. The experienced impact on HRQOL depended on several factors, like personal factors as the degree of acceptance and environmental factors like social support.CONCLUSION:
Women can experience a diversity of scar characteristics and symptoms, which play a central role in the perceived impact on HRQOL. Since scarring can have a considerable impact on HRQOL, scarring after prophylactic, oncologic and reconstructive breast surgery should be given more attention in clinical practice and research. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Considering scarring as a common late effect after breast surgery and understanding the variety of experiences, which could impact HRQOL of women, can be beneficial in sufficient information provision, expectation management, and informed decision making.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Calidad de Vida
/
Neoplasias de la Mama
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Cancer Surviv
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Países Bajos