The Effect of Educational Sessions for Couples on Quality of Life among Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Mastectomy

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women, which greatly affects their quality of life. Mastectomy as one of the most used treatment strategies in breast cancer has many negative effects on sexual relationship and quality of life in these patients. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of an educational program for couples, on quality of life in patients with breast cancer after mastectomy. Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial study, 45 patients with breast cancer were divided into two groups of intervention (n = 21) and control (n = 24). In intervention group, the patients received education in the field of sexual relations, reciprocal emotions, and post-mastectomy conditions during three sessions. Quality of life was evaluated using the World Health Organization's quality of life-brief (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire in the screening visit and 12 weeks after intervention. Findings: In intervention group, the subscales of quality of life including physical health, psychological health, social relationships, environmental health, and general health significantly increased after education (P < 0.010). There was no significant difference in control group in the physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health subscales between the screening visit and 12 week later (P > 0.050). Conclusion: Education regarding post-mastectomy conditions, sexual relations, reciprocal emotions, and caressing as a therapeutic and preventive program can increase the quality of life in patients with breast cancer after mastectomy.