Document Type : Research Articles
Authors
1
Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
2
Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
3
Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
4
Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
5
Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
6
Department of Hematology-Oncology, Gastrointestinal cancer Research center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
7
Master Student of Midwifery Counseling, Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Nasibeh Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Sari, Iran.
8
Associate Degree in Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
9
Master of Psychology, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Treatment for breast cancer can give rise to complications with important psychological impact. One change in patients regards body image. The aim of this research was to study the effect of a midwifery-based counseling support program on the body image of breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, the study population was constituted by 80 breast cancer patients referred to Tuba Clinic in Sari, north of Iran, randomly assigned to two groups. Inclusion criteria included breast cancer diagnosis, mastectomy experience, age of 30 to 60 years, primary school education or higher, being married, and receiving hormone therapy. The Body Image Scale and Beck Depression Inventory were completed by intervention and control groups prior to the intervention and again afterwards. This program was implemented to the intervention group (two groups each consisting of 20 patients) for six weekly sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. The collected data were analyzed suing SPSS through Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests. Results: The results showed that the average age of participants in the intervention and control groups were 46.8 ± 6.85 and 48.9 ± 5.86, respectively. Body image scores in the intervention and control groups before the support program were respectively 21.82 ± 1.66 and 21.7 ± 1.48, and after the support program they were 7.05± 2.07 and 22.92 ±1.49, respectively. Therefore, the results indicate that the support program was effective in improving body image. Conclusion: This study showed that the support program had a positive effect on the body image of patients. Therefore, it is suggested that it should be used as an effective method for all breast cancer survivors.
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