Are women’s emotions related to surgical decisions for early stage breast cancer?

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingPoster abstractpeer-review

    Abstract

    Background: Early stage breast cancer patients are encouraged to choose between mastectomy and breast conserving surgery, which have equivalent survival rates. Evidence suggests that emotions may prompt women for mastectomy, a more intrusive procedure than BCS. This review aims to explore the role of women‟s emotions in surgical decision making for early stage breast cancer.
    Methods: A systematic review was conducted, using mixed method analysis. Relevant studies were identified via MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest databases (ASSIA, Social Services Abstracts, IBSS, Sociological Abstracts, Dissertations and Theses), Google Scholar, Index to Theses and Cochrane databases, from their first available date until February 2011.
    Results: 16 studies were included in the review, out of 10,978 identified articles in total. Women with increased fear of cancer recurrence were more likely to choose mastectomy, whereas women with increased appearance distress were more likely to choose breast conserving surgery. A third of women experienced increased general distress, which was associated with difficulties in thinking about surgical options. When offered a choice of surgery, many women based their decision on the doctor‟s recommendation.
    Conclusions: Health care practitioners should be aware that women's emotions play an important role in their surgical decision making, along with the doctor recommendation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAre women’s emotions related to surgical decisions for early stage breast cancer?
    PublisherThe Society for Judgment and Decision Making Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
    Publication statusPublished - 16 Nov 2012

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