Revue internationale de santé mentale et de psychiatrie

The contribution of the family environment to women who have undergone mastectomy after breast cancer

Charos Dimitrios, Deltsidou A1, Vivilaki V1

Statement of the Problem: The mastectomy of women with breast neoplasm, especially in the reproductive period, is a traumatic experience that contributes to changing behavior, emotions, psychological status and changing relationships with her family and important persons.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of the contribution of the family and important persons to the support of women with breast cancer who have undergone mastectomy.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The methodology and the material include searching and reviewing research studies through electronic databases in recent years.

Findings: In recent years, several studies highlight the importance of the family's role in supporting women suffering from breast cancer and have undergone mastectomy. The relationship between women and their family environment has a significant effect on psychological support, decision-making on treatment and their quality of life. The family's role is vital in accepting and helping the woman to adapt to illness and mastectomy, maintaining the image of her body and her femininity, the best treatment of her illness, her compliance with surgery and therapy, the acquisition of meaning of life, better quality of life, management of side effects from treatment, etc. It is the family itself that gives the appropriate feedback to support and encourage the woman while at the same time accepting the disease from the family marks the strengthening of the dynamic role of the family.

Conclusion & Significance: Family is a key factor in the psychological support of mastectomy women. The family context is what greatly shapes the proper care and support of women. Clearly, health and mental health professionals can boost family Support.