Abstract
The study investigated the body image and quality of life of young and middle aged married
women after mastectomy. Previous studies have shown the effect of age on the body image
and quality of life of breast cancer women (Pakseresht, Ingle and Gang 2011, Avis, Crawford
&Manuel, 2005, Schover, 1994). The present investigation took a purposive sample of 20
young and 20 middle-aged married mastectomy patients from oncology department of two
government hospitals Lahore, and asked them to complete Body Image Scale (Hopwood ,
Fletcher, Lee & Al Ghazal 2001) and Quality of life scale (QOL)by ( Ferrell, Dow & Grant1995).
t-test for independent samples was used to analyze the data. Results indicated no significant
differences between young and middle aged married Pakistani mastectomy patients in terms
of body image, quality of life and on its subscales- physical wellbeing, psychological
wellbeing, fear, distress, social concerns and spiritual wellbeing. The study provides baseline
measures for doctors, psychologists, caregivers and breast cancer patients on body image
and quality of life indices in Pakistan.
