Perceived influence of psychological consultation on psychological well-being, body image, and intimacy following bilateral prophylactic mastectomy: A qualitative analysis
Menée en Australie par entretiens auprès de 26 femmes devant subir une mastectomie bilatérale prophylactique, cette étude qualitative analyse les effets d'une consultation psychologique se déroulant avant l'intervention chirurgicale pour améliorer leur santé psychique et leur capacité à s'adapter à leur image corporelle après l'opération
Objective: This study explored whether psychological consultation offered to women prior to bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM) appeared to provide psychosocial benefit to younger women (<35 years) at high risk of developing breast cancer due to a mutation or family history. Methods: Qualitative interviews guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis were conducted retrospectively with 26 women who had undergone BPM. Participants were recruited from New Zealand and Australia, via a genetics clinic, registry, research cohort, and online. Results: Three themes were identified: psychological well-being and adjustment, satisfaction with intimacy, and body image. Participants that had seen a psychologist reported being more prepared for BPM and appeared to adjust positively post-surgery. They appeared to have improved psychological well-being, reported satisfaction with intimacy, and a more positive body image, compared with those who had no support. Conclusions: Women who undergo psychological consultation prior to BPM appear to adjust positively after surgery. Implications for practice include standard psychological consultation for younger women (>35 years) considering BPM.
Psycho-Oncology 2017