Experiencing cancer in women’s accounts following mastectomy

Introduction
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Despite the advances in diagnostics and treatment, the breast is not always salvageable. Apart from physical consequences, mastectomy is linked with various psychosocial consequences and leads to the need of adaptation to the new situation. Most studies in Poland are quantitative and most frequently concern selected areas of a woman’s functioning.

Aim and study
The aim of the presented study was to learn about and analyse experiencing cancer based on women’s accounts following mastectomy.

Material and methods
Five semi-structural interviews were conducted. The main questions focused on communication, coping with information on the diagnosis and treatment options, body acceptance and life after illness. Seven main motives were distinguished.

Results and conclusions
The study showed that women have been increasingly aware of the role of prevention, but some solutions in the health care system or the lack of proper training of medical personnel extend time before proper treatment is administrated. Thanks to the information about breast cancer in the media, women can talk about their illness more openly. However, in some communities breast cancer is still a taboo subject. For some being actively involved in the activities of “Amazons” Association is a difficult experience causing negative emotions, while for others it is a source of self-realization. The results indicate that mastectomy and fight with cancer change women’s overall experiences. The way how women react to their illness and how well they cope with it depends on many factors. It seems that the role of them should be further examined.