International Journal of Applied Science and Technology

ISSN 2221-0997 (Print), 2221-1004 (Online) 10.30845/ijast

Life with Female Partners after Mastectomy: the Perception of Ghanaian Men
Abigail Kusi-Amponsah Diji, Monday Omoniyi Moses, Ernest Asante, Yaa Nyarko Agyeman, Joyce Duku, Shirley Ama Agyeiwaa

Abstract
Breast cancer has been described as a couple’s illness due to the impact it poses on victims and their spouses. A qualitative study was therefore conducted to explore the perception of five married Ghanaian men regarding life with their female partners following mastectomy. Content analysis of transcribed interview data revealed that mastectomy affect men’s perception of their partner’s body image, sexuality and coping mechanisms. However, the fear of unknown outcomes of frank communications prevented them from engaging in such discourse with their partners. Future studies should examine spouses whose wives have lost both breasts to ascertain their reality.

Full Text: PDF