Psychological functioning of daughters of breast cancer patients. Part III: Experiences and perceptions of daughters related to mother's breast cancer

Sixty daughters whose mothers had breast cancer were cross-sectionally studied as to their retrospective perceptions of their mothers before and during their illnesses. The majority of daughters recalled viewing the surgery site (72.4%), most were told within one month of surgery (83.1%), most viewed site within one month (53.7%), and were as likely to be told by mother as by all other possible people combined (50% told by mother). On the variables of: General Quality of life; Social Relationships; Attractiveness; and Sexuality, daughters perceived mother's quality of life as significantly changed (lowered) pre/post surgery. The greatest perceived changes were in the areas of perception of mother's attractiveness and sexuality. On the variables of Ability to Care for Herself; Attention to Physical Appearance; Ability to Emotionally Support Family Members; Ability to Manage Household Tasks; and Ability to Work Outside the Home; daughters perceived mother's activities of daily living to be significantly reduced pre/post surgery. Although statistical changes were evident, overall, daughters recalled their mother's adaptation as quite good.