Influence of body image on quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing breast reconstruction: Mediating of self-esteem

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is considered as a major health problem for women, and the prevalence is increasing over the world. Research to improve their quality of life is necessary. Purpose: This study was to examine the body image and self-esteem of breast cancer patients who underwent breast reconstruction in order to determine whether these affect their quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. This study was conducted on 140 patients who underwent breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery at S University Hospital in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Measures were the general characteristics list, body image scale, self-esteem scale, and the Korean version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Version 4 for quality of life. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, linear regression, and process macro bootstrapping for mediation effect. Data were collected from October 2020 to March 2021. Results: The path regression coefficient was 1.59 (p