Perception of Self-esteem and Body Image among Women with Breast Cancer of a University Hospital in Tunisia

Background: Breast cancer is a major public health problem. It represents the first female cancer which creates physical, psychological and social disorders.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the perception of the self-esteem and the body image of women reached by breast cancer in the hospital of Habib Bourguiba of Sfax – Tunisia during three months.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study. Two measure scales of beforehand designed and validated were administered to 125 patients treated for breast cancer: a scale estimating the body image according to Hopwood and a scale estimating the self-esteem according to Rosenberg.

Results: 79% of the investigated women had weak self-esteem and 62% had a distress of the body image. Our study also showed that there is a statistically significant correlation between the perception of the body image and the self-esteem. The presence of history of psychiatric pathologies (P=0,007) and alopecia (p=0,006) are statistically correlated to a body image distress. Civil status (p=0,025) and alopecia (p=0,014) statistically impacted the perception of self-esteem.

Conclusion: In order to improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer, healthcare professionals should take into consideration the psychological effect of the consequences of this disease.