Kvinnors upplevelser av förändrad kroppsuppfatting och sexualitet efter mastektomi
En litteraturstudie
Breast cancerMastectomyBody imageSexualityExperienceBröstcancerMastektomiKroppsuppfattningSexualitetUpplevelser
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women. The treatment of breast cancer may lead to forcing the woman to remove her breast. The breast is a symbol of femininity and sexuality for many women. The purpose of this literature-based study is to describe women's experiences of altered body image and sexuality after mastectomy. This may provide a better understanding of the nurse in responding to these breast cancer patients. The method used is a qualitative literature-based method, based on qualitative analysis of 13 articles. The results show that women undergoing mastectomy feel loss of part of the body, loss of sexuality and womanhood and that their bodies and sexuality are changing. Many women feel that their bodies have been mutilated and disfigured which leads to decreased sexual desire. The desire to feel normal again is great and to meet that many women undergoing breast reconstruction or prosthesis wear. Given that many women suffer as a result out of their changing body image and sexuality following a mastectomy, it is important that the nurse has knowledge of women?s experience of altered body and sexuality. The knowledge leads to better response from the nurse to patients' experiences of illness and suffering and to mitigate this as far as possible.