Abstract
This study investigated whether the type of surgical procedure used to treat breast cancer (mastectomy versus breast-conserving lumpectomy) had any effect on the quality of life and social status of women. The prospective analysis included 382 women newly diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer who had undergone a surgical intervention for breast carcinoma at our institution: 198 patients had undergone mastectomy with axillary lymphadenectomy and 184 patients had undergone breast-conserving lumpectomy with local axillary lymphadenectomy. The post-mastectomy women reported significantly more financial problems, a lowered social status and more physical symptoms compared with the breast-conserving post-lumpectomy patients. The patients that underwent lumpectomy were more satisfied with their body image and their sexual life. Since the adverse financial effects of wage loss can significantly decrease a patient's quality of life, this study indicates that postmastectomy patients in particular need to be protected more effectively against a decline in their social status.