TOAngelina Jolie she has returned to speaking publicly about hers preventive double mastectomy of 2013, defining scars as a symbol of “life”. The sign of a conscious decision to protect his health to remain close to his children. Interviewed by French radio France InterAngelina Jolie said of «love my scars because they represent the choice I made to stay with my children for as long as possible.” A testimony that takes on a value that is not only symbolic, but social: offers visibility to a complex clinical and psychological journey, which affects many women who face a mastectomy. Both for breast cancer and as prevention.
When surgery changes your self-image
There mastectomy represents a fundamental treatment in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, but it involves bodily changes which can have a profound impact on psychological dimension of the patient. According to the Umberto Veronesi Foundationin fact, these interventions they profoundly influence body imagethat is, the set of perceptions, emotions and thoughts that a person develops regarding their physical appearance, with possible repercussions on self-esteem, personal identity and social relationships.
Breast loss can be experienced as a symbolic wound which concerns femininity, sexuality and the social role of women. The scientific and clinical literature highlights how, after the operation, a significant percentage of patients develop symptoms of anxiety, depression or difficulties in the emotional and relational sphere. For this reason theItalian Association for Cancer Research underlines that the path after cancer treatment can be characterized by a significant emotional impact and that psychological recovery is an essential part of the healing process.
The role of psycho-oncology in the treatment process
For this reason in recent years the psycho-oncology it has become an integral part of therapeutic paths. According to the Umberto Veronesi Foundationpsychological support allows us to face the fear of the disease, the uncertainty regarding the future and the difficulties linked to the transformation of the body, helping the patient to build a new emotional and identity balance.
Specialists underline that the adaptation process is not just about acceptance of scars or physical changes, but also the redefinition of the relationship with one’s femininity and with life as a couple. However, psychological support can also encourage greater adherence to therapies and improve the quality of life, accompanying the patient in managing stress, reworking of the experience of the illness and reintegration into everyday life.
Breast reconstruction: an integral part of therapy
This is why the reconstructive surgery today represents a fundamental therapeutic step in the treatment of breast cancer. THE’AIRC highlights, in an article dedicated to the topichow breast reconstruction does not only have an aesthetic purpose, but contributes to recovery of psychophysical well-being and quality of life, allowing many women to feel comfortable with their bodies again.
The operation can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later time and can be performed the use of prostheses or autologous tissues taken from other parts of the body. The choice of the reconstructive path is defined within a multidisciplinary team and takes into account the patient’s clinical characteristics, her expectations and possible complications, which may include infections, alterations in sensitivity or the need for further corrective interventions.
Endoscopic mastectomy: increasingly less invasive surgical techniques
However, technological evolution has led to the development of minimally invasive techniques such as Endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomywhich allows you to reduce the aesthetic impact of the operation while maintaining oncological safety. The Sant’Orsola IRCCS Polyclinic of Bologna explains that this procedure allows you to remove breast tissue through a small lateral incision about three or four centimetres, preserving the skin and the nipple-areola complex and allowing the insertion of the prosthesis through the same surgical access.
According to the hospital itself, the technique can reduce post-operative painlocal complications such as hematomas or skin necrosis and recovery times, offering aesthetic results that can have a positive impact on the patient’s body perception and psychological well-being. However, the procedure is not suitable for all women, e.g suitability is assessed within the Breast Units multidisciplinary, which analyze tumor characteristics, breast size and general conditions of the patient to identify the most appropriate therapeutic path.
Beyond clinical healing: the path to a new awareness
The recovery after a mastectomy in short, it does not coincide only with oncological healing. The quality of life of patients depends on a balance between effectiveness of treatments, functional and aesthetic results of surgery and psychological support. There Veronesi Foundation underlines how the re-elaboration of bodily changes is a gradual process that requires time and specialist guidance.
In this context, public testimonies such as that of Angelina Jolie contribute to normalize the relationship with scars and with the transformation of the body, showing how these signs can become symbol of survival and awareness. However, the acceptance path remains deeply individual and requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates surgery, oncology and psychological support.
