According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and breast cancer incidence and death rates increase with age. According to the Society, 89 percent of women are alive five years after diagnosis, 82 percent after 10 years and 75 percent are alive after 15 years. A diagnosis of breast cancer changes the lives of women and can have many consequences.
Psychosocial Issues
In a 2001 abstract published by the Polish medical journal, "Wiad Lek," 350 patients diagnosed with breast cancer were surveyed regarding the consequences of breast cancer on their families and the influence it had on their psychosocial well-being. Discovery of the cancer initiated feelings of fear and sadness. Women reported increased irritability, nervousness and anxiety which resulted in the increased use of tranquilizers. Nineteen percent reported feelings of low self-esteem. Fifty-seven percent of the women experienced changes in their professional lives that impacted their economic status. BreastCancer.org notes that women who suffer pain during breast cancer can feel emotionally exhausted, depressed and overwhelmed.
Sexuality and Intimacy Issues
Breast cancer disrupts sexuality. In a 2010 update of an article originally published in 1988 in "CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians," Dr. Wendy Schain notes that feeling sexually desirable and attractive are important components to quality of life. A woman's sense of femininity, desirability and acceptability may be significantly altered as a result of a mastectomy for breast cancer. These feelings may be exacerbated by hormone fluctuations that result from chemotherapy treatment. Mood swings, sleep deprivation, feelings of helplessness and loss of control can impact the sense of sexuality and intimacy that is required for sexual relations. Dr. Schain notes the stage of the disease, the amount of pain a woman suffers, coping skills, body image and social support networks all contribute to psychosexual morbidity.
Treatment Side Effects
Depending on the stage of breast cancer, treatment consists of mastectomy, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The physical effects of mastectomy can include painful scarring, chronic lymphedema or swelling of the arm on the side of the mastectomy, and the need for multiple surgeries for reconstruction. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause loss of hair, pain, loss of immunity, anemia and hot flashes, according to the National Cancer Institute. Chemotherapy and radiation can also affect the digestive tract causing nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and mouth sores.
References
- American Cancer Society: Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2009-2010
- "Wiad Lek"; Social consequences of breast cancer in women suffering from the disease; Latalski M & et al; 2001
- Breast Cancer.org: Psychological Effects of Pain
- "CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians"; The Sexual and Intimate Consequences of Breast Cancer Treatment; Wendy S. Schain; 2010
- National Cancer Institute: Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer
