Mastectomized Indian women: psychological sequelae and dynamics of underutilization prosthesis

With an objective to explore various psychological reactions of mastectomized women and to understand dynamics underlying non-utilization or under-utilization of prosthesis/reconstruction facility, a sample of 90 women was drawn from Government Medical College and Hospital and tested for neuroticism, body-self-image and physio-psychological complaints. The total sample comprised three groups that included 30 mastectomized women (gr. 1); 30 non-mastectomized women operated for various other problems (gr. 2); and 30 non-mastectomized normal healthy women (gr. 3). They were tested with psychological tools viz., NSQ, BSIQ, and SRQN. The obtained data were analysed for one way ANOVAR design. Mastectomized women and non-mastectomized operated for other problem women group both showed poorer body-self-image than the normal women but no significant difference was seen between mastectomized and non-mastectomized women operated for other problems. Similar picture emerged for SRQN scores i.e., neuroticism measured in terms of psycho-physical/physio-psychological complaints. With respect to NSQ scores, mastectomized women were found higher on submissiveness scale than the other two groups. Women in general did not show awareness about prosthesis or reconstruction facility. Results are interpreted in the light of psycho-social coceptualization of a "woman" in Indian psyche. The data seem to project a need of cognitive intervention in the treatment of disease.