Home care for mastectomy patients

Abstract

Breast cancer, is the second among the most frequently seen cancers and the leading cancer type causing mortality in women. Surgical treatment is still the most acceptable and the most frequently used treatment approach in breast cancer. Mastectomy, one of the surgical methods applied for this purpose reduces the relapse potential and extends the life time of the patient.

Despite the favorable features acting in preferring mastectomy, the patients come up against physiological, psychological and social problems following the operation. Wound healing and drain problems, pain, lymphedema possibility, and complications of the arm on the operated side are the most frequently observed post-operative physiological problems. Most of the patients are obliged to receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy following the surgery. The adverse effects of these treatments, the indefinite clinical progression of the disease and an unwarranted treatment possibility all cause anxiety to the patient. Mastectomy gives rise to the deformation of the body image, sexual problems and development of social isolation leading increases at the stress and anxiety levels of the patients causing severe depression. In order for the patient to be in a fully physical, psychological and social good health, the patients should receive a comprehensive discharge training prepared by the clinical nurses.

The training to be delivered to this end provides the patient and his/her family an easier way to cope with the physical and psycho-social problems that arise during this time period.