Abstract

Introduction. Body image and breast cancer are closely associated in women who undergo unilateral or bilateral mastectomies. The literature has shown that even if women undergo reconstruction, they still experience adverse side effects with surgery or body image disturbances that may persist for years, affecting their quality of life. It is important for providers to recognize patients experiencing issues with body image distress and be able to provide appropriate care. Aims. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to evaluate body image scores in women who have undergone breast cancer mastectomy within the past five years and educate those who admit to having body image distress on ways to improve their distress. Methods. The project took place in a private GYN office in Jacksonville, Florida. Education was provided to the post mastectomy population based on their body image survey scores. The goal was to improve their body image distress scores from one month to three months in women post mastectomy within the past five years after surgery. This was done by provide education, including handouts, on ways to cope with body image changes and to help improve their overall outlook. The patients were reevaluated after three months with the body image scale to evaluate improvement in their overall body image score. Results. Participant surveys indicated improvement in their overall body image scores from one-month pretest to three months post intervention although due to small sample size, the results did not meet statistical significance. Conclusions. Implementation of a body image screening in all private GYN settings can provide emotional and psychological support and help to improve their overall confidence and self-esteem.

Description

Tool(s) Used: Modified Body Image Scale

Ashley Ceithaml

Author Details

Ashley Ceithaml, DNP, RN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Post Mastectomy, Breast Cancer Gene (BRCA) Mutation, Breast Neoplasm, Breast Mammoplasty, Body Image Scale

Advisors

Morgan, Hilary||Christopher, Roberta

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Jacksonville University

Degree Year

2021

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2021-09-01

Full Text of Presentation

wf_yes

Download

Share

COinS