Psychological implications of mastectomy

The adjustment of a group of mastectomy patients to their operation was assessed at an interval of between 18 months and 5 years after surgery. They were found to be significantly more depressed and anxious than a control group of cholecystectomy patients; they tended to have lower self-esteem; and they described themselves as being more introverted in their behaviour. These differences were attributed to concern about both the loss of the breast and the possibility of recurrence of the cancer.