TY - JOUR
T1 - Coping with modesty during radiotherapy for breast cancer: a multicentric study
AU - Boldrini, Luca
AU - Dinapoli, Loredana
AU - Boccia, Edda
AU - Caliandro, Morena
AU - Colangione, Sarah Pia
AU - Elia, Chiara
AU - Pollutri, Veronica
AU - Sartori, Gaia
AU - Gregucci, Fabiana
AU - Marconi, Elisa
AU - Manfrida, Stefania
AU - Masiello, Valeria
AU - Chieffo, Daniela Pia Rosaria
AU - Marazzi, Fabio
AU - Fiorentino, Alba
AU - Gambacorta, Maria Antonietta
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - PurposeBreast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed tumour, representing nearly 30% of all new cases in women. Radiotherapy (RT) plays a crucial role in the management of breast cancer. The objective of this study is to assess modesty in patients undergoing RT for breast cancer and take their suggestions and ideas into consideration to enhance the quality of treatment in this regard.MethodsThe study enrolled 555 breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant RT in three Italian centres. Patients completed a self-test questionnaire assessing their comfort level concerning modesty during therapy and their relationship with strangers and healthcare professionals. The impact of religious views and potential changes in sexuality were also examined.ResultsResults showed that modesty was a common concern across the overall cohort of patients, with discomfort in being undressed during RT correlating with discomfort experienced in other daily life situations. Most patients felt more at ease with same sex healthcare workers. Age was also a major factor with younger patients generally feeling more comfortable with healthcare workers of the same age group. Interestingly, the surgical technique used (mastectomy vs. quadrantectomy) did not significantly influence modesty perceptions. Patients provided valuable suggestions to improve privacy and modesty during RT.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that modesty is an important issue for women undergoing RT, which can be influenced by personal characteristics and hospital-related factors. A reflection about the need to address modesty concerns and to incorporate dedicated interventions for protecting patients' physical and emotional well-being is warranted. Initiatives to improve communication, involvement, and body image support should also be integrated into the care path of patients to better their overall therapeutic experience. This study paves the way for broader research and interventions in daily cancer care.
AB - PurposeBreast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed tumour, representing nearly 30% of all new cases in women. Radiotherapy (RT) plays a crucial role in the management of breast cancer. The objective of this study is to assess modesty in patients undergoing RT for breast cancer and take their suggestions and ideas into consideration to enhance the quality of treatment in this regard.MethodsThe study enrolled 555 breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant RT in three Italian centres. Patients completed a self-test questionnaire assessing their comfort level concerning modesty during therapy and their relationship with strangers and healthcare professionals. The impact of religious views and potential changes in sexuality were also examined.ResultsResults showed that modesty was a common concern across the overall cohort of patients, with discomfort in being undressed during RT correlating with discomfort experienced in other daily life situations. Most patients felt more at ease with same sex healthcare workers. Age was also a major factor with younger patients generally feeling more comfortable with healthcare workers of the same age group. Interestingly, the surgical technique used (mastectomy vs. quadrantectomy) did not significantly influence modesty perceptions. Patients provided valuable suggestions to improve privacy and modesty during RT.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that modesty is an important issue for women undergoing RT, which can be influenced by personal characteristics and hospital-related factors. A reflection about the need to address modesty concerns and to incorporate dedicated interventions for protecting patients' physical and emotional well-being is warranted. Initiatives to improve communication, involvement, and body image support should also be integrated into the care path of patients to better their overall therapeutic experience. This study paves the way for broader research and interventions in daily cancer care.
KW - Breast cancer
KW - Healthcare
KW - Modesty
KW - Radiotherapy
KW - Breast cancer
KW - Healthcare
KW - Modesty
KW - Radiotherapy
UR - https://publicatt.unicatt.it/handle/10807/280277
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85193407667&origin=inward
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85193407667&origin=inward
U2 - 10.1007/s10549-024-07365-z
DO - 10.1007/s10549-024-07365-z
M3 - Article
SN - 0167-6806
VL - 2024
SP - 1
EP - 11
JO - Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
JF - Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
IS - May
ER -
