Changes in Self‒concept by Patients After Radical Hysterectomy

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify changes in the self‒concept of patients who underwent radical hysterectomy, comparing before they were affected by cancer and after the operation. Semi‒structured interviews were conducted with seven female patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and were receiving outpatient treatment, and qualitative content analysis was carried out on the data obtained. The patient’s self‒concept prior to being affected by cancer was classified into four upper categories：“a healthy self”, “a self who lives as she wishes”, “a self who lives as a female”, and “a self who fulfills her roles”. The self‒concept after operation was classified into four upper categories：“a self who feels painful about herself”, “a self who acquired a new way of living”, “a self who is aware of her femininity”, and “a self who lives in relationships with other people”. Changes in self‒concept by patients after the operation meant loss of self before being affected by cancer, acquisition of a new self, and changes in awareness of femininity.

Loss of self from before being affected by cancer was considered to relate to a decrease in reliance on the body due to disability of the sense of physical control, and acquisition of a new self was considered to relate to expansion of self‒recognition through painful experiences. Changes in awareness of femininity seemed to have been influenced by evaluation from other people. Based on the above, in order for a patient who underwent radical hysterectomy to see herself in a positive manner, assistance in reacquisition of the sense of physical control, expansion of self‒recognition and involvement to allow a patient to feel her femininity seems to be necessary.