Effect of Mastectomy on Quality of Life for Elderly Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 B.Sc. Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Zagazig University

2 Professor of Community Health Nursing and Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing -Zagazig University

3 AssistantProfessor of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Zagazig University

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 selfworth
and may threaten perceptions of femininity. Aim of the study: Was to assess the effect of
mastectomy 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 the
oncology day clinic at the out patient building at zagazig university hospital. Subjects: A
purposive sample of 140 elderly subjects who fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. Tools of data
collection: Two tools were used include; Tool I: A structured interview questionnaire; it was
composed of two parts, Tool II: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of
cancer [EORTC] QLQC30/+ BR45) which composed of two parts. Results: The study shows
that there is a highly statistically significant relation between the studied elderly women's
quality-of-life related total EORTC QLQC-30 and their educational level. In addition, there is a
statistically significant relation with their age. Meanwhile, there is a highly statistically
significant 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 relation
with their age. Conclusion: The study can be concluded that more than half of the studied elderly
women 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.

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