Body Image and Psychosocial Distress: Implications for Breast Cancer Patients' Quality of Life in Nairobi County
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Abstract
Patients with breast cancer undergo invasive treatment and surgical procedures, which could result
in temporary or permanent body changes. How breast cancer patients and others react to their
altered bodies influences psychosocial distress, their quality of life and treatment efficacy. This
study examined body image, psychosocial distress, and quality of life in breast cancer patients.
This study used a phenomenological approach to examine the experiences of breast cancer
patients. Using probability and expert sampling, 32 breast cancer patients were selected from a
target sample of 763, along with five nurses and three physicians. In-depth interviews and focus
group discussions were used to collect the data. The interview transcripts were coded, and
inductive method was used to generate themes of significance. Four sub-themes emerged from the
analysis; namely, altered appearance, diminished self-esteem, the meaning of the breast, and
sexuality after breast cancer. The study found that poor body image and psychosocial distress were
prevalent among breast cancer patients but inadequately understood and managed. Widespread but
unaddressed were impaired body image and sexuality issues. Additionally, the patient's
environment mediated body image and subjective wellbeing. Psychosocial distress also negatively
affected emotional, social, sexual, and role-function quality of life. The study recommends
provision of breast prostheses as well as creation of individual and couple counselling services and
support groups. Policymakers and hospitals need to adopt a patient-centred approach that takes
breast cancer patients' disease and body image concerns into account.
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