Decision-making about mastectomy among Chinese women with breast cancer: a mixed-methods study

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Although multiple treatment options are available nowadays, mastectomy rates remain considerably high in many parts of the world. Deciding to undergo a mastectomy can be challenging for women with breast cancer, as this surgery leads to breast disfigurement and may impair their body image and quality of life. The process of treatment decision-making for mastectomy requires a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including nurses, to provide comprehensive support to women. It is thus imperative for nurses and other healthcare professionals in this team to understand women’s decision-making experiences regarding this surgery. However, the existing evidence about decision-making regarding mastectomy among women with breast cancer has been limited due to the scarcity of studies specifically focused on this surgery and methodological limitations across existing studies. Furthermore, nearly 80% of women with breast cancer living in mainland China have undergone mastectomy in recent years. Nevertheless, in mainland China, there have been few studies reporting on decision-making experiences related to this surgery. Therefore, the present research is designed to gain an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of treatment decision-making regarding mastectomy from the perspectives of Chinese women with breast cancer living in mainland China. A three-phase, explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted at two tertiary general hospitals in mainland China. This thesis is presented in the form of six publications across seven chapters.