Breast cancer in young women: examining meanings post contralateral prophylactic mastectomy
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Date
2017
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Breast cancer is the malignant growth of cells originating in breast tissue. Breast cancer
primarily occurs in women aged 50-69; however, 18% of cases occur in women under 50
years of age. The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer exerts significant stress on
young women’s sexuality, including reproduction, femininity, and relationships. Surgical
removal of breast tissue is commonly used to treat breast cancer. Increasingly, young
women with unilateral breast cancer are choosing to have both breasts surgically
removed. This is known as contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). Research
studies on sexuality in young women with breast cancer who have undergone CPM are
limited, suggesting a gap in knowledge related to the psychosocial needs of these women.
This qualitative research study used van Manen’s Phenomenology to examine the
research questions: 1) What meanings do young women with breast cancer ascribe to
their experiences post CPM 2) What meanings do young women with breast cancer
ascribe to their sexuality post CPM? A total of seven women diagnosed with unilateral
breast cancer, aged 31 to 52 were interviewed and asked to describe their experiences of
sexuality post CPM. The essence of these young women’s experiences of sexuality post
CPM is described as “My body is scarred, but for that I am stronger”. The essence is
supported by the three following themes: 1) My breast decision: Empower me to make
informed treatment decisions about my breast health; 2) Defining a new normal for
intimacy post CPM; and 3) Supporting me in coping with my chest without breasts. The
uncovered meanings in this study will provide healthcare professionals with knowledge and understanding of the psychosocial needs of these women, and elicit information to
inform and advance practice to improve quality of life of young women diagnosed with
breast cancer.