Psychological Implications of Mastectomy

Some recent studies on the psychological trauma endured by patients with breast disease are summarized and a number of conclusions are drawn. There appear to be a number of stages through which a patient with a breast lump passes psychologically. Breast cancer attitudes in a community are dependent upon accumulated experience and cannot be changed overnight. Delay in presentation results from unconscious factors which may not be amenable to rational public health appeals. It is possible to identity a group of patients high at risk in breast surgery, although human resilience is such that the outcome if often satisfactory. There is a great need for controlled prospective studies in many areas of breast surgery rehabilitation. Some personal observations are included to stimulate discussion and interest in the area.