Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Counseling on Body Image Following Mastectomy



Fadaei S¹ ; Janighorban M³ ; Mehrabi T⁴ ; Ahmadi SA⁵ ; Mokaryan F⁶ ; Gukizade A⁷ ; Mohammadi A^{2, 8}
Source: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences Published:2011

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Surgical treatment of breast cancer may causebody image alterations. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of cognitive behavioral counselingon body image among Iranian women with primary breast cancer.METHODS: In this quasi-experimental designed study, 72 patients diagnosed as breast cancer and surgically treated wereenrolled in Isfahan, Iran. The patients were entered the study by convenience sampling method and were randomly dividedin two groups of intervention (n = 32) and control (n = 40). The intervention group received consultation based onEllis rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) method for 6 sessions during 3 weeks. The control group did not receiveany consultation. Paired t-test was used to compare the changes in groups and independent t-test was conducted tocompare two groups. The average values represented as mean ± standard deviation.RESULTS: Before the study, the body image score was not significantly different between the intervention (16.97 ± 5.44)and control (15.95 ± 4.66) groups (t = 0.86; P = 0.395). The body image score was significantly lower in the interventiongroup (9.03 ± 6.11) compared to control group (17.18 ± 5.27) after the intervention (t = -6.07; P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Since a woman's body image influences her breast cancer treatment decision, oncology professionalsneed to recognize the value of a woman's favorite about appearance and body image. This study emphasizes the importanceof offering consultation in breast cancer patients.