Mental adjustment to cancer in group of women with brest cancer before and after mastectomy and before and after breast conserving surgery

Background: The aim of the research was to explore mental adjustment to cancer in group of women with brest cancer before and after surgery as well as influence of type of surgery on mental adjustment to cancer.

Material and methods: The study was conducted with the use of The Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-Mac) and personal questionnaire on the sample of 42 women with brest cancer divided into two groups of surgeries (21 into a group of breast amputation and 21 into a group of breast conserving surgery). The research had two phases – first, one week before the surgery, second, three months after surgery. Data were collected between July 2011 and March 2012 and were statistically analysed utilizing SPSS.

Results and conclusions: No matter if patients were before or after the surgery, they use adaptive coping strategies (fighting spirit and cognitive avoidance) more often. Additionally, after the surgery, they use maladaptive coping strategies less frequently then before the surgery. No significant statistical differences were observed between the results of coping strategies of patients with breast cancer and the type of surgery (breast conserving surgery or mastectomy).