Nasrin Elahi - Choronic Disease Care Center of Ahvaz Jundishapur Medical Science University-Ahvaz- Iran
Maryam Kardaani - Occupation therapy of Roshd Rehabilation Center-

Objective: The most common treatment in young women with breast cancer is mastectomy. The aim of this study was to describe the strategies’ women of with breast cancer about on how to confront the with mastectomy. Methods: This is a qualitative study in which Graneheim and Lundman’s content analysis method was employed.Twenty- four women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy were chosen purposively, and data were gathered by unstructured. The theoretical sampling continued until data saturation. Verifiability and transmissibility criteria were considered. Results: 4 main themes were included decisions with hope and fear , reconstruction of identity , spirituality and the support were identified as ways to overcome mastectomy. Conclusion: Spirituality and family support strategy plays a key role in the acceptance of mastectomy in young women. Health care workers by identifying the strategies can improve the performance of the patients.

Breast; young women; Mastectomy; qualitative study