Health factors among women after mastectomy

Introduction: The need for pro-health behaviour emerges most frequently in situations of a life change, a disease or an increased risk of falling ill. Cancer usually leads to abandonment or limitation of the life activity pursued so far. Pro-health behaviour is one of the necessary conditions of returning to fitness. Poland belongs to a group of countries with an average incidence of breast cancer, but the awareness level of disease prevention is still insufficient. Mastectomy is a strenuous treatment for a woman, both physically and psychologically, and the new situation demands change in the previous way of life.

Aim of the study: The main objective of the paper was to evaluate health factors among women after mastectomy.

Material and methods: The researched material was collected using standardized research tools: Health Behaviour Inventory and List of Health Criteria. The research was conducted among 104 women after radical treatment of breast cancer.

Results: The dominant type of health behaviour was preventive behaviour (M = 3.72), while correct dietary habits were the least valued (M = 3.01). Differences were pointed out in valuing health by the respondents, depending on the examined demographic features.

Conclusions: The general health behaviour was at a level above the average (M = 86.09). A relation of demographic features to preferred health behaviour was observed, according to the education level (r_s = –0.22) and duration of the disease (r_s = 0.24). The respondents put the highest value on health understood as a condition (M = 1.36) and not as an effect of conscious actions, and identified it with the ability to enjoy life.