Effect of Mastectomy on Quality of Life for Elderly Women

Abstract

Background: Mastectomy has a deep and stable negative impact on a woman because,mastectomy as a treatment option, can result in a sense of mutilation and diminished selfworthand may threaten perceptions of femininity. Aim of the study: Was to assess the effect ofmastectomy on quality of life for elderly women. Subjects and Methods; Research design:Descriptive design was adopted to carry out this study. Setting: The study was conducted at theoncology day clinic at the out patient building at zagazig university hospital. Subjects: Apurposive sample of 140 elderly subjects who fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. Tools of datacollection: Two tools were used include; Tool I: A structured interview questionnaire; it wascomposed of two parts, Tool II: The European Organization for Research and Treatment ofcancer [EORTC] QLQC30/+ BR45) which composed of two parts. Results: The study showsthat there is a highly statistically significant relation between the studied elderly women'squality-of-life related total EORTC QLQC-30 and their educational level. In addition, there is astatistically significant relation with their age. Meanwhile, there is a highly statisticallysignificant relation between the studied elderly women's quality-of-life related total [EORTC]QLQ-BR45 and their educational level. In addition; there is a statistically significant relationwith their age. Conclusion: The study can be concluded that more than half of the studied elderlywomen had moderate total quality of life, one quarter of them had low quality of life while about two fifth of them had high quality of life; after mastectomy. Recommendations: More similar studies and researches should be done among other ages, and also among other patients with mastectomy.