Does the weight of an external breast prosthesis play an important role for women who undergone mastectomy?

Abstract

Aim

The aim of the study was an evaluation of daily functioning and activity in post-mastectomy women who use EBP, with particular focus on the weight of the prosthesis.

Background

There is a large group of breast cancer patients who need comprehensive care including professional help with EBP. Some researchers have reported the advantages and disadvantages of using EBPs in women who undergo mastectomy. Among the latter, dissatisfaction with the weight, comfort and movement of the prosthesis was identified.

Materials and methods

The study included 125 women who had undergone unilateral mastectomy. This was a survey with a self-constructed questionnaire which was administered to breast cancer women. In the second part, the author analyzed current objective studies about the implementation of EBP in body motion assessments.

Results

The analysis of the answers of the women studied showed that they used their first EBP about 6 months after mastectomy, and changed it every two years. The method of choosing EBP had a significant impact on satisfaction with EBP as well as on the prosthesis’ weight. Patients who chose EBP themselves were more satisfied with it. There was no statistically significant correlation between the age of the women studied and their satisfaction with the EBP or its weight and size.

Conclusion

EBP plays an important role in the satisfaction with daily functioning and activity of breast cancer women who have undergone unilateral mastectomy despite the fact that the weight of EBP is not an important factor in an objective analysis of body motions in many studies in this group of patients.