Social support in the rehabilitation of mastectomized women: the role of the sexual partner

Abstract

This study identified the types of social support offered by the sexual partners of women with breast cancer and their perceptions about this support. Nine partners of women in this condition participated in the study. Data was collected through interviews and submitted to content analysis. Partners perceived themselves as important elements of social support to their wives, offering affection, stimulus to self-care and help with household chores. Difficulties faced in offering social support involved sexual relations, communication channels, the feeling of impotence and insecurity to deal with the implications of the diagnosis and to reorganize household chores.