[Women's experience of care following breast surgery]

The purpose of this study was women's readiness and possibility of self-care after breast operation, and experiences and expectations which they had about their guidance with knowledge and skills and support during the care. A questionnaire was developed and sent to the subjects. The sample consisted of 109 women with breast cancer within the last three years. The statistical analysis of data was based on percentual distributions with correlations, cross tabulation and log-linear models. The patients described that they have good readiness to take part in their own care, but at all stages of care they got support and information insufficiently. Relatives were not supported enough. The action organised by cancer association was mainly considered positive.