Evaluation der Lebensqualität von Brustkrebspatientinnen nach Mastektomie

The evaluation of quality of life in tumor patients is getting more and more important in research. In this study 86 patients took part after mastectomy. They had had breast surgery between 2000 and 2003 in Marburg, Germany. They got a questionnaire with 84 points. Included were EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. The correlation of contentment with the result of surgery to the body image was examined. Women with greater contentment felt more attractive and had a better social and mental health. A marriage showed no influence in the functional scales of EORTC. The quantity of the social network was more stable in women with mates. This had positive effects to cognitive function, role function and social function. With a better body image they showed themselves to their partners more often naked. In addition, relationships independent to marital status increased the social function. 90% knew something about reconstruction surgery. 13 women would have liked to have had more information about it. 25% of the patients born before 1960 did not get enough information. This has to be improved. Body image and anxiety towards future had a great influence to general aspects of quality of life. Body image and quality of partnerships seems to correlate. Aspects that increase the quality of life should get further investigations.