PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MASTECTOMY ON A WOMANʼS FEMININE SELF-CONCEPT

Abstract

The changes in body image, self-concept and total self-image in mastectomy patients and 2 control groups (biopsy and surgical controls) were measured. Patients were given a questionnaire measuring the concepts in question 3 times: 1 day before surgery; 6 days after surgery; and 6-11 mo. later. There were distinctly different patterns of results for the 3 groups. Mastectomy patients did indeed evince a decline in body image and total self-image, but not until months after surgery. This was not unexpected in light of previous findings of massive denial in mastectomy patients. Immediately after surgery, this denial was at its strongest, and probably would take some months of reality testing until the denial was no longer a necessary defense. Biopsy patients showed a decline in body image and total self-image immediately after surgery, when their denial was no longer needed. Surgical control patients showed little overall change. Mastectomy patients do appear to react to the operation with a decline in self-image, although this does not appear until some time after the operation.