The Relationship between Body Esteem and Hope and Mental Health in Breast Cancer Patients after Mastectomy

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer and its treatment, including mastectomy, can cause feelings of mutilation, depreciation in the value of the body, reduction in attractiveness, and lead to mental disorders and hopelessness. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to determine the relationship between appreciating the body, hope and mental health in women with breast cancer after mastectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a descriptive study of 100 breast cancer patients who had undergone mastectomy and referred to the Sayed Al-Shohada Medical Center in Isfahan, Iran. The subjects were selected by convenient sampling. Data gathering tools were the Body Esteem Scale (BES), Herth Hope Index (HHI), and Symptom Checklist 25 (SCL-25) mental health questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Most of the patients had low body esteem. There was a significant direct linear relationship between body esteem and hope and mental health. This relationship was stronger between valuing the body and hope. CONCLUSION: Body esteem has a significant linear relationship with hope and mental health.