Le retentissement du cancer du sein et de ses traitements sur le couple: un ménage à trois

[Body image disorder in 100 Tunisian female breast cancer patients]

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed at tracking the prevalence of body image disorder in a population of Tunisian women followed for breast cancer and the factors associated with it.

PATIENTS END METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted at Salah-Azaiez Institute in Tunis, over a period of four months. One hundred outpatients followed for confirmed breast cancer were recruited. The questionnaire targeted the women's sexuality and their couple relationships, along with their socio-demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics. The scales used were BIS, HADS, and FSFI.

RESULTS

The prevalence of body image disorder according to BIS was 45% with an average of 11.5±11.2 among the interrogated patients, 24.7% of which reported an alteration in their couple relationships and 47% in their sexual relations. In univariate analysis, body image disorder was associated with family support, change in couple relationship, depression and anxiety. Body image disorder and sexual dysfunction were interrelated: each of them fostered the prevalence of the other. Multivariate analysis showed that occupational activity was an independent predictor and the absence of anxiety an independent protective factor. Body image disorder was an independent predictive factor of depression and anxiety.

DISCUSSION

The quality of couple relation and sexuality, along with the impact of the patient's surrounding are decisive for the protection or alteration of her body image.

Establishment of a consultation to announce the results of a breast biopsy

PURPOSE

Establishment of post-breast biopsy consultations to announce the results. Evaluation of this system in order to help improve the practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The radio-senologists benefited from continuing medical education for the in-house announcement. Fifty patients (with malignant results) received questionnaires comprising 13 items and the possibility of free and anonymous comments.

RESULTS

The authors present tools to help in the interview. Thirty-one questionnaires were returned by the patients and were analysed. Thirty patients (96.8%) considered the information provided as rather or fully sufficient, and only one considered that she did not have enough time to ask all of the questions she wanted to ask. Two patients (6.6%) found the scheduling of the subsequent appointments insufficient. The patients had a rather positive overall judgement about this consultation.

CONCLUSION

The radiologist may provide one of the consultations to announce the results, depending on their involvement in senology, their personal expertise and their integration in the care network.