The sense of coherence versus life adaptation in women after mastectomy

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a medical as well as social problem due to emotional meaning of breasts (attribute of femininity, symbol of motherhood) and fear of the mutilating procedure of mastectomy. One of the factors influencing one's ability to cope with disease and stress related to it is the sense of coherence (SOC). The level of SOC is an element which explains the relationship between support and health. High SOC level makes people believe in life predictability and order, which in turn motivates them to be healthy and functional. Aim: Defining the relation between the level of coherence and life adaptation in women after mastectomy, as a determinant of returning to optimal health. Material and methods: The study was carried out among 100 women who had their breast amputated with Madden method. The women examined were treated in Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz in Breast Diseases and Reconstructive Surgery wards. The sense of coherence was assessed using Orientation to Life Questionnaire SOC-29 by Antonovsky and adaptation to disease was evaluated on the basis of AIS scale in Juczynski's adaptation. Results: The examined women presented average level of the sense of coherence. The level of manageability and comprehensibility was higher than the level of the sense of meaningfulness. The group gained an average level of disease acceptance. Those women who got higher results regarding the sense of manageability, comprehensibility and meaningfulness had also better results in disease acceptance. Conclusions: Defining the level of the sense of coherence and the level of life adaptation may serve as a determinant in predicting care for patients going through various stages of cancer disease with particular attention paid to the psychological sphere since it plays a remarkable role. It will enable the compensation of this sphere and will have a positive influence on health. © Curr. Gynecol. Oncol. 2013.