Abstract
In 517 Japanese girls, image of the breast was measured using Osgood's Semantic Differential Technique and a Body Image Scale (BIS), of our own design.
Subjects ranged in age from 18-27 (mean 19.77). The image of the breast was viewed from the standpoint of "emotional-evaluative-centered" . Various descriptive adjectives were made available. Between the 18 year-old and the 22 year-old group, significant differences were seen in only 5/38 modifiers.
Breast cancer is the fifth leading cause of death among Japanese women. In 1976, the ratios for breast, gastric and uterine cancer were 5.9/100.000, 34.3/100.000, 10.3/100.000, respectively. Nevertheless, since 1950 when the rate for breast cancer was 3.3/100.000 there has been an increase while the number of patients with uterine cancer decreased during the same period. Such being the case, the number of women subjected to mastectomy is on the increase. Japanese women are usually slight in build, have little adipose tissue, and until recent years wore a Kimono type national dress which more or less flattened the breast. However, with the advent of technology and the introduction of western fashions, the breast area has become a focus of increasing attention. Psychological problems following mastectomy will be ever on the increase and appropriate methods of approach in coping with these potential situations should be given attention.
