Correlation Between body esteem and hope in patients with breast cancer after mastectomy

Mastectomy in patients with breast cancer can cause negative body esteems by reducing control on the body. On the other hand, hope plays a significant role in stressful life events. This study was aimed to assess correlation between body esteem and hope in patients with breast cancer after mastectomy. This study was a descriptive-analytic research. 100 patients with breast cancer after mastectomy were selected in Seyed Alshohada Hospital of Isfahan by convenience sampling. Questionnaires of Body esteem and Herth hope was used to collect data, and investigate body esteem and hope in patients. According to total score of body esteem and the overall average score (36.46±14.91), patients had low body esteem. Most patients (49%) showed moderate hope, and only 24% had high hope. In this study, according to the results of the Spearman correlation coefficient, there was a significant positive relationship between body esteem and hope (P<0.001, r=0.583). Based on the findings of the study, the effect of mastectomy to the body esteem and hope was undeniable. Nurses can consider the vital needs of patients in this topic by identifying high risk groups in terms of body esteem and continuous hope. They can propose educational programs for this group to prevent difficulties of due to mental health by advice and attitude change towards her new body.