Restoring wholeness: Women’s embodied experiences in considering post-mastectomy delayed breast reconstruction

Abstract

This qualitative inquiry reports on the embodied experience of women with breast cancer considering post-mastectomy delayed breast reconstruction (DBR). In a pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating an educational workshop on decision-making about DBR, a purposeful sample of eight women participated in telephone semi-structured interviews. The concept of embodiment guided thematic analysis. The decision whether to undergo DBR involved four embodiment-related themes: living with an altered body, losing a sense of self, taking charge to reclaim the body and self, and rebuilding the body and self. Embodiment thus played a significant role in women’s decision-making. Other psychosocial factors, however, may compete with embodiment motivations. Healthcare providers can help support women to see breast reconstruction as a legitimate means to restore their body and sense of self.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• breast reconstruction
• embodiment
• body image
• treatment decision-making