Bröstcancer drabbar cirka en miljon kvinnor världen över varje år och det är den vanligaste cancerformen hos kvinnor i Sverige idag. Kirurgi är ofta det primära valet av behandling. I vissa fall är kvinnan tvungen att ta bort hela bröstet, en så kallad mastektomi. Att förlora ett bröst innebär både fysiska och psykiska förändringar för kvinnan och många olika aspekter av hennes liv påverkas. Därför väljer en del kvinnor att göra en bröstrekonstruktion. Syftet med studien är att belysa kvinnors upplevelse av bröstrekonstruktion i samband med bröstcancer eller vid risk för bröstcancer. Studien genomfördes som en allmän litteraturstudie där 11 kvantitativa och kvalitativa vetenskapliga artiklar analyserades. Resultatet visar att kvinnor som gjort en bröstrekonstruktion i allmänhet är nöjda. Emellertid finns det även ett antal kvinnor som känner sig missnöjda. Av studien framgår att de två viktigaste aspekterna till kvinnors missbelåtenhet över bröstrekonstruktionen grundar sig i bristande information och otillräckligt stöd från sjukvården. Således är det en viktig uppgift för sjukvården att bistå dessa kvinnor med större psykosocialt stöd och tydligare information i form av bilder, filmer, informationshäften samt berättelser från kvinnor som har liknande erfarenheter. / Breast cancer affects approximately one million women worldwide each year and it is the most common cancer among women in Sweden today. Surgery is often the primary choice of treatment. In some cases the woman has to remove the entire breast, mastectomy. Losing a breast causes both physical and psychological changes in a woman and affects different aspects of her life. That is why some women choose to do a breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to highlight women´s experience of breast reconstruction in connection with breast cancer or in case of risk for breast cancer. The study was carried out as a literature study and 11 quantitative and qualitative scientific articles were analyzed. The results show that women who have breast reconstruction after mastectomy are generally satisfied. However, there are also a number of women who are dissatisfied. The study shows that the two main aspects of women´s dissatisfaction over the breast reconstruction are based on insufficient information and inadequate support from health care. It is an important task for health care to assist these women with a greater psychosocial support and more evident information for example photos, videos, booklets and stories from women who have similar experiences.

The present thesis consists of three thematic parts in relation to breast cancer: (a) practice of breast self - examination (BSE), (b) screening mammography attendance and (c) adjustment to breast cancer surgery / mastectomy. The aims of the respective studies are (a) to examine attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding BSE in younger (30 years old or under) and older women (over 30 years old), (b) to explore attitudes and beliefs regarding mammography and identify factors associated with screening mammography attendance and (c) to explore factors associated with adjustment to breast cancer surgery. The above aims are explored in two different cultural contexts, by comparing samples from Scotland and Greece. Samples consisted (a) of 205 younger and 258 older women, university staff and students in Scotland and 85 younger women, university students in Greece, (b) 283 women who attended and 72 women who did not attend the National Breast Screening in Scotland, and 72 women undergoing mammography in Greece and (c) 19 women in Scotland and 27 women in Greece, who have undergone surgery for breast cancer. All participants were assessed on a variety of measures. These included demographics, health history, health beliefs and health - related personality variables. Results indicated that: 1. BSE was predicted by different variables across age and cultural groups. 2. In particular, practice of BSE in younger women was predicted by knowledge about breast cancer, perceived barriers, health motivation and cues for action, whereas practice in older women was predicted by knowledge about BSE, perceived barriers and cues for action. 3. BSE rates in both countries were higher than previously reported but did not differ between women in Scotland and Greece. However, the two groups differed in knowledge and attitudes, regarding BSE, and in personality. Women in Scotland appeared more knowledgeable regarding BSE, felt less susceptible to breast cancer and were less active in coping with health issues than women in Greece. Women in Greece valued their health more and scored higher in chance health locus of control beliefs than women in Scotland. 4. The best predictor of breast screening mammography attendance in Scotland was knowledge about mammography. Attenders appeared to have more knowledge about breast cancer and about mammography and to focus more on emotional coping, in order to deal with health stresses. 5. The two cultural groups differed in health-related decision making and health - related coping styles. Attenders in Scotland were more knowledgeable about risk factors related to breast cancer and about mammograms and perceived significantly more pain/discomfort associated with the procedure, than attenders in Greece. Attenders in Greece resorted more to acceptance and denial and were more likely to seek emotional support, in order to cope with health stressors than attenders in Scotland. 6. Health beliefs of breast cancer patients, in relation to their condition, and their style of coping with threatening information, concerning their breast problem, are highlighted as important factors to their adjustment in both cultures. However, adjustment to breast cancer surgery appears culture-specific, as different factors seem to determine it in different cultural contexts. 7. Patients in Scotland and Greece did not differ in their overall adjustment. However, Greek patients were significantly less well adjusted sexually postoperatively than patients in Scotland. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical and practical implications.

Bakgrund: Bröstcancer är den vanligaste cancersjukdomen bland kvinnor och den främsta behandlingen är kirurgi. Ett av behandlingsalternativen är mastektomi som innebär kirurgiskt borttagande av ett bröst. Förlusten kan leda till starka känslor och en förändrad självbild. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att belysa kvinnors erfarenheter av att förlora ett bröst i mastektomi till följd av bröstcancer. Metod: Litteraturstudien baseras på nio vetenskapliga artiklar av kvalitativ ansats som har kvalitetsgranskats och analyserats. Artikelsökningar genomfördes i Cinahl, PubMed och PsycInfo. Resultat: Analysen av samtliga artiklar resulterade i tre nya kategorier: En förändrad kropp, En förlorad kvinnlighet och Stöd från omgivningen är betydelsefullt. Kategorierna delades vidare in i tillhörande subkategorier. Konklusion: Förlusten av ett bröst medför fysiska och psykiska förändringar. Kvinnorna har i huvudsak negativa erfarenheter av mastektomi där upplevelserna både är individuella och gemensamma. En inblick i kvinnornas liv skapar en förståelse över deras livssituation. Fördjupad kunskap om kvinnors erfarenheter av att förlora ett bröst i mastektomi är en förutsättning för sjuksköterskan att utöva god omvårdnad och tillämpa personcentrerad vård. / Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among women and the main treatment is surgery. One of the treatment options is mastectomy, which involves surgical removal of a breast. The loss can lead to strong emotions and a changed self-image. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe women’s experiences of losing a breast in mastectomy due to breast cancer. Methods: The literature study is based on nine scientific articles of qualitative approach that have been quality reviewed and analysed. Article searches were conducted in Cinahl, PubMed and PsycInfo. Results: The analysis of articles resulted in three new categories: A changed body, A loss of femininity and Importance of support from the environment. The categories were further divided into related subcategories. Conclusion: The loss of a breast causes physical and psychological changes. The women mainly have negative experiences of mastectomy and the experiences are both individual and mutual. An insight into women’s lives creates an understanding of their life situation. In-depth knowledge of women’s experiences of losing a breast in mastectomy is a prerequisite for the nurse to practice good nursing care and apply patient-centered care.

Este estudo clínico e descritivo utilizou um protocolo de exercícios posturais do método Isostretching, no pós-operatório tardio de câncer de mama, com o objetivo de ganhar mobilidade dos movimentos de flexão e abdução do braço homolateral ao esvaziamento axilar, em mulheres que apresentavam deficiência na amplitude de tais movimentos, com comprometimento da mobilidade do braço. Participaram 25 mulheres, operadas de câncer de mama, há, no mínimo, seis meses. A coleta de dados foi realizada de fevereiro a julho de 2006, no Núcleo de Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência na Reabilitação de Mastectomizadas (REMA) da EERP/USP. Todas as participantes freqüentaram o grupo de ginástica postural global do método Isostretching, duas vezes por semana, por um período de seis semanas. Os movimentos de flexão e abdução, do braço homolateral ao esvaziamento axilar, foram medidos antes do tratamento proposto e após a participação nas 12 sessões do grupo de reabilitação, sendo considerada, como resultado da mensuração, a média obtida da realização de três medidas consecutivas. O instrumento utilizado nas mensurações foi o flexímetro. Os resultados analisados por meio do teste estatístico Wilcoxon revelaram ganho estatisticamente significante (p<0,001; =1%).de ambos os movimentos medidos. Pôde-se concluir que o método Isostretching de ginástica postural global foi eficaz no ganho de mobilidade do braço homolateral ao esvaziamento axilar desse grupo de mulheres submetidas ao tratamento do câncer de mama. / This descriptive clinical study have used a protocol of posture exercises of the Isostretching approach in breast cancer late post-operative, with the objective to improve mobility of the movements of flection and abduction of the homolateral arm to the side of axillary emptying of women that presented deficiency in the amplitude of such movements, with compromising of the mobility of the arm. The total of participants was twenty five women in post-operative breast cancer period of at least six months after the beginning of treatment . The data collection was carried out from February to July of 2006, in the Nucleo of Education, Research and Aid in the Rehabilitation of Mastectomized Women of the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing. All the participants frequented the group of global posture gymnastics of the Isostretching approach, two times weekly, by a period of six weeks. The movements of flection and abduction were measured before proposed treatment and after the participation in the twelve sessions of the group of rehabilitation, being considered as a result of the measurement the average obtained from the achievement of three consecutive measures. The instrument utilized in the measurements was the fleximeter. The results analyzed by means of the Wilcoxon statistical test revealed statistically significant improvement (p<0,001; =1%).of both measured movements. In conclusion, the Isostretching approach of global posture gymnastics was efficient in the improvement of mobility of the homolateral arm to the side of axillary emptying of that group of women submitted to breast cancer treatment.

A reconstrução mamária visa melhorar a qualidade de vida e auto-estima da mulher após câncer de mama. Atualmente, existe uma baixa procura pela cirurgia, e poucos estudos apontam os fatores relacionados à não-realização do procedimento. Objetivo: Descrever os fatores relacionados à não-realização da reconstrução mamária e investigar a qualidade de vida e auto-estima de mulheres submetidas à cirurgia por câncer de mama. Métodos: A amostra constituiu de 53 mulheres submetidas à cirurgia por neoplasia mamária, freqüentando um núcleo de reabilitação durante o período de agosto a dezembro de 2006, e que responderam a um formulário acerca da doença, do tratamento e dos fatores relacionados à não-realização de reconstrução. Foi aplicado o instrumento The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey - MOS-SF36 - e a Escala de Auto-estima de Rosemberg. Resultados: A maioria das mulheres tinha idade superior a 50 anos, era casada, raça branca, baixa escolaridade e baixa classe econômica. Houve predomínio da cirurgia de mastectomia, com tempo médio decorrido após a cirurgia de 5,8 anos. A maioria das mulheres realizou radioterapia e quimioterapia e algumas evoluíram com limitação na amplitude de movimento e nas tarefas domésticas, linfedema, dor, entre outras complicações. Em relação à cirurgia reconstrutiva, todas as mulheres já tinham ouvido falar, mas nem todas foram orientadas pela equipe médica sobre essa possibilidade no momento da retirada do tumor. Os profissionais de saúde representaram a fonte de informação mais relatada pelas mulheres a respeito da cirurgia reconstrutiva, e foram também os sujeitos com os quais elas menos discutiram sobre o assunto. A maioria das mulheres conhecia o seu direito de realizar reconstrução pelo Sistema Único de Saúde e relatou que a cirurgia é de longa duração, envolve muitas etapas e pode ocorrer rejeição da prótese. A maior parte das entrevistadas relatou medo em realizar a cirurgia, por sofrimento e complicações após a técnica, e acrescentou que não faria a reconstrução, apesar de achar que estava na idade ideal e usar prótese externa. Houve predomínio de mulheres sem vida sexual ativa e satisfeitas com a auto-imagem. A maioria afirmou ter liberdade em usar qualquer tipo de roupa e relatou que se sente bem ao estar com roupa, com biquíni/maiô e sem roupa. Sobre a rede de suporte, houve mudanças positivas no relacionamento familiar e com o companheiro após a cirurgia por câncer de mama. A avaliação da qualidade de vida através do MOS-SF36 revelou menor escore para o domínio \"dor\", \"aspectos físicos\", \"vitalidade\", \"saúde mental\" e \"capacidade funcional\". O questionário de Auto-estima de Rosemberg obteve valor médio de 34,4 pontos. Conclusão: Os dados apontam adaptação das mulheres em face das conseqüências do tratamento de câncer de mama, não priorizando a realização de reconstrução mamária. / The goal of breast reconstruction is to improve woman\'s quality of life and self-esteem after breast cancer. Nowadays, there are fewer women that underwent this surgery, and few studies had investigated the reason why woman do not choose this procedure. Objective: Describe the factors involved to not having breast reconstruction and to investigate the woman\'s quality of life and self-esteem after breast cancer surgery. Methods: A sample of 53 women that underwent breast cancer surgery, taking part of a rehabilitation center during the period of august until december 2006, answered a questionnaire that included information about the disease, treatment and questions about why they did not have breast reconstruction. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Sort Form Health Survey - MOS-SF36 - and Rosemberg Self-Esteem Scale was administered. Results: The majority of the women was 50 years or older, married, white, low educational level and low economic status. Most woman underwent mastectomy and the average time since surgery was 5.8 years. The majority of the women received radiotherapy and chemotherapy and some of them had limitation of the movements and home activities, lymphedema, pain and others complications. About breast reconstruction surgery, all women had heard about it, but not all of them received information from their physicians about this possibility before breast surgery. Health professionals were related to be the more main source of information by woman and this was also the group that they had less discussion with. Most women knew about their right of having breast reconstruction by the public health care system, but claimed that the surgery is long, that multiple surgeries are needed and that the prosthesis can be rejected by their bodies. The majority of the women revealed fear of complications associated with the reconstruction and said that they would have not done the surgery, although they feel they are in a correct age and use external prosthesis. Most women did not have active sexual life and were satisfied with their body image. Most of them expressed freedom to wear any clothing and feel comfortable when fully dressed, with swim cloths or naked. About support groups, there were positive changes in the relationship with family and partner after breast cancer surgery. The MOS-SF36 showed lowest score to \"bodily pain\", \"role-physical\", \"vitality\", \"mental health\" and \"physical functioning\". Rosemberg Self-Esteem Scale received 34.4 average score. Conclusions: This study suggests woman\'s adaptation to the consequences of breast cancer treatment, not giving importance to breast reconstruction.

Bakgrund: Bröstcancer är en av de vanligaste cancerformerna hos kvinnor i Sverige. Ett behandlingsalternativ för bröstcancer är mastektomi vilket innebär borttagning av delar av eller hela bröstet. Behandlingen kan medföra fysiska, psykiska och psykosociala förändringar i kvinnors liv. Författarna hoppas att litteraturöversikten kommer att bidra till ökad förståelse och kunskap om kvinnors upplevelser av kroppen efter mastektomi hos allmänsjuksköterskor.  Syfte: Syfte var att belysa kvinnors upplevelser av kroppen efter mastektomi vid bröstcancer.  Metod: För att besvara syftet genomfördes en litteraturöversikt baserad på tio kvalitativa studier. Studiernas resultat granskades och analyserades enligt Fribergs metod. Likheter och skillnader från de inkluderade studierna urskildes och kategoriserats i huvudteman och underteman. Författarna använde Katie Erikssons hälsokors som teoretisk utgångspunkt.  Resultat: Resultatet presenteras i fem huvudteman: En förändrad kropp; Upplevelse av kroppen efter mastektomi; Förändring av kvinnlighet och identitet; Strävan efter normalitet i samband med kroppsförändring; Upplevelse av kroppsförändringens inverkan på sociala relationer.  Diskussion: Författarna diskuterade om kvinnors upplevelser av kroppen efter mastektomi och hur kroppsförändringen påverkar kvinnors självbild och relation till omgivningen. Katie Erikssons hälsokors användes för att diskutera kvinnors hälsoposition. Författarna har även använt andra studier och egna reflektioner i resultatdiskussionen. / Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancers in women in Sweden. A treatment option for breast cancer is mastectomy, which means removal of parts or the entire breast. The treatment can lead to physical, mental and psychosocial changes in women's lives. The authors hope that the literature review will contribute to greater understanding and knowledge of women´s experiences of the body after mastectomy in general nurses. Aim: The purpose of the study was to illuminate women’s experiences of the body after mastectomy in breast cancer.   Method: A literature review based on ten qualitative articles that were relevant to the purpose. The results of the articles were reviewed and analyzed according to Friberg’s method. Similarities and differences from the included studies were distinguished and categorized into main themes and sub-themes. The authors used Katie Eriksson´s health cross as a theoretical starting point. Results: The results are presented in five main themes: A changed body; Experience of the body after mastectomy; Change in femininity and identity, Striving for normality in connection with body change; Experience of the impact of body change on social relations.  Discussion: The authors discussed the women´s experiences of the body after mastectomy and how body change affects women´s self-image and relationship to the environment. Katie Eriksson´s health cross was used to discuss women’s health position. The authors have also used other studies and their own reflections in the results discussion.

Bakgrund: Bröstcancer är den mest förekommande cancerformen hos kvinnor i världen. Den främsta behandlingsformen sker genom kirurgi så kallad mastektomi, vilket innebär att hela bröstet opereras bort. Kvinnors bröst symboliserar kvinnlighet och de flesta kvinnor som genomgått en mastektomi påverkas på olika sätt av fysiska, psykiska och sociala förändringar. Syfte: Att belysa kvinnors upplevelser efter att ha genomgått en mastektomi till följd av bröstcancer. Metod: En allmän litteraturstudie baserad på tolv vetenskapliga artiklar. Data samlades in genom sökningar av vetenskapliga artiklar i databaserna CINAHL och MEDLINE. Resultat: Utifrån sammanställning av artiklarnas resultat framkom det fem underkategorier. Utifrån dessa skapades sedan en huvudkategori, Inte bara förlust av ett bröst. Det framgick att kvinnor upplevde en förändring av sin kroppsbild och sin kvinnlighet samt en känsla av att inte känna sig normal. Kvinnorna beskrev även en saknad av tillräcklig information i samband med att ha genomgått en mastektomi. Slutsats: Studien redogör att kvinnor som genomgått en mastektomi till följd av bröstcancer upplever påfrestningar på grund av kroppsliga förändringar. Med bra information och stöd från familj och vänner underlättar det för kvinnorna att hantera sin förändrade livssituation efter det kirurgiska ingreppet. Klinisk betydelse: Studiens resultat kan förmedla sjukvården värdefull kunskap och förståelse om kvinnors upplevelser efter att ha genomgått en mastektomi och hur de ser sig själva efter att ha opererat bort ett bröst i samband med bröstcancer. / Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. The main form of treatment is done through surgery called a mastectomy, which means that the entire breast surgically removed. Another common surgical procedure is performing a mastectomy where the entire breast is removed. Women's breasts symbolize femininity and most women who have undergone a mastectomy affected in different ways by physical, psychological and social changes. Aim: To highlight women's experience after undergoing a mastectomy due to breast cancer. Method: A general literature study based on twelve scientific articles. Data were collected through searches of scientific articles in the databases CINAHL and MEDLINE. Results: Based on the compilation of articles results revealed five subcategories. Based on these then created a main category, not just the loss of a breast. It appeared that women experienced a change in their body image, their femininity and a sense of not feeling normal. The women described an absence of sufficient information in connection with undergoing a mastectomy. Conclusion: The study explains that women who have undergone a mastectomy due to breast cancer experience stresses due to bodily changes. With good information and support from family and friends its easier for the women to deal with the situation after the surgery. Clinical significance: The study results can provide healthcare information valuable for understanding women's experiences after undergoing a mastectomy and how they see themselves after having surgery to remove a breast associated with breast cancer.

No Brasil, o câncer de mama tem sido a maior causa de óbitos da população feminina, principalmente na faixa etária entre 40 e 69 anos. A mastectomia é o método mais utilizado para tratamento e objetiva a retirada total do tumor. O procedimento causa prejuízos emocionais, sociais e afeta de forma significativa a qualidade de vida da mulher. O estudo teve como objetivo investigar o processo de resiliência em mulheres mastectomizadas. Possui natureza qualitativa, realizado com 10 mulheres acompanhadas pela Liga Feminina de Combate ao Câncer de Gurupi-To. Para a coleta dos dados utilizou-se questionário para caracterização das participantes e entrevista semiestruturada, que foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo de Bardin e organizados em torno de três categorias: sentimentos e vivências diante do diagnóstico e tratamento; fatores de risco, proteção e processo de resiliência. Constatou-se que receber o diagnóstico de câncer de mama trouxe à tona sentimentos como incredulidade por estar doente, raiva, negação, culpa e medo, entretanto, para algumas participantes a vivência significou aprendizado e superação. Os fatores de risco identificados nos relatos foram: dificuldades em acessar a rede de saúde, ausência de apoio da família e amigos, efeitos colaterais durante o tratamento quimioterápico e reações emocionais, presentes desde o diagnóstico até a finalização do tratamento. Já os fatores de proteção foram o suporte da família, amigos e profissionais da saúde; a fé em Deus e espiritualidade; e o trabalho. Compreendeu-se neste estudo que estar resiliente relaciona-se com a capacidade de vivenciar medos, angústias e incertezas, assumindo postura ativa de enfrentamento ao câncer de mama, encontrando novos sentidos para as dificuldades vivenciadas e serem fortalecidas por estas. / In Brazil, the breast cancer has been the major cause of deaths in female population, especially in the age between 40 and 69.The mastectomy it is the most used method aiming to remove the tumor. The procedure cause social and emotional problems and affect significantly the quality of life of the woman .the study aimed to investigate the resilience process the mastectomized women. The study have qualitative nature carried out with 10 women and the league Feminine against Câncer in Gurupi. For the collect of data was done questionnaire to characterize the participant, interview. The result of the interview was submitted to Bardin content and organized in three categories: Feelings and Experience on Diagnosis and treatment, risk factors and protective factors together with resilience process. Receiving the diagnostic of breast cancer, brought feelings like unbelief for being sick, anger, denial, guilt and fear. However, for some, the experience means learning and overcoming state. the risk factors of the survey was absent of the family and friendly support ,side effects during chemotherapy , and sadness and give up feelings sometimes together with fear during the treatment. Otherwise, the protector factors was the family support, friendships and professional support, faith in god and spirituality and the job. She understood in this study that being resilient is related to the ability to experience fears, anxieties and uncertainties, taking an active posture of coping with breast cancer, finding new meanings for the difficulties experienced and being strengthened by them.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:53:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SABRINA MOITA COSTA MENDES.pdf: 1496416 bytes, checksum: b15ff9d3e1c22617a1952454db03fd89 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-25 / A neoplasia mamária é uma doença ameaçadora e temida entre as mulheres, pois representa uma das principais causas de morte na população feminina. Além disso, tem como principal recurso terapêutico a mastectomia, que traz consequências dolorosas na vida das mulheres em virtude dos efeitos psicológicos, das limitações e das mudanças no estilo de vida. Diante do exposto, este estudo tem como objetivo: avaliar a depressão em pacientes mastectomizadas de Teresina-PI, utilizando o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI). Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa e quantitativa, a qual partiu de um levantamento bibliográfico em acervos bibliotecários e de publicações eletrônicas, além da utilização de alguns instrumentos de coleta de dados, como entrevista semi-estruturada e o BDI. Os dados foram analisados e organizados em quadro categorias: saberes sobre a doença; o diagnóstico de câncer; repercussões da cirurgia de mastectomia; importância do apoio familiar e do companheiro e crenças. Os resultados permitiram identificar que a mastectomia gera implicações de ordem emocional, física e social. No que se refere às implicações de ordem emocional essas mulheres apresentavam sentimentos como: medo, ansiedade, diminuição da auto-estima e depressão. No campo social, elas têm receio em relação ao preconceito da mutilação que a mastectomia prova nelas e na sociedade. Apesar de todas as implicações representadas identificou-se com aplicação do BDI que essas mulheres apresentavam quadros leves de depressão e a maioria não apresentavam. Conclui-se, portanto, que a neoplasia mamaria e a mastectomia são responsáveis por um grande impacto na vida dessas mulheres e que o apoio da família, dos amigos e do companheiro, juntamente com a fé em Deus, as ajuda a superar as dificuldades.

O câncer de mama é a neoplasia que mais acomete mulheres no mundo e o mais comum na população feminina brasileira. A mastectomia é um dos procedimentos realizados para o tratamento e pode ocasionar várias alterações físicas e funcionais como linfedema, limitação de amplitude de movimento, neuropraxia, desequilíbrios musculares e alteração postural. O sistema estomatognático é um complexo sistema que pode ser influenciado na sua função por déficits posturais. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a atividade eletromiográfica em diferentes condições posturais da mandíbula, espessura dos músculos temporal direito (TD) e esquerdo (TE) e masseter direito (MD) e esquerdo (ME), bem como a força de mordida molar máxima, a eficiência mastigatória e a postura corporal de mulheres submetidas à mastectomia unilateral. Participaram 32 mulheres que foram distribuídas em dois grupos: GM, grupo mastectomia unilateral (n=16), idade média de 56,50±14,50 anos e GC, grupo controle sem a doença (n=16), idade média de 56,56±14,15anos. Os grupos foram pareados sujeito a sujeito por idade e índice de massa corporal. O eletromiógrafo Trigno (Delsys Inc., Boston, MA, USA), com eletrodos de superficies wireless, foi utilizado para avaliar a atividade mioelétrica em repouso, lateralidade direita e esquerda, protrusão, apertamento dental em contração voluntária máxima com e sem Parafilme M®. A função mastigatória foi avaliada pela eficiência dos ciclos mastigatórios por meio da integral da envoltória linear do sinal eletromiográfico na mastigação habitual e não habitual. A espessura muscular foi mensurada pela imagem obtida do ultrassom Sono Site Titan em repouso e apertamento dental em contração voluntária máxima. Foi utilizado o dinamômetro digital Kratos na análise da força de mordida molar máxima. A postura estática foi mensurada por meio da fotogrametria. Os dados eletromiográficos normalizados, espessura muscular, força de mordida molar máxima e fotogrametria foram tabulados e submetidos à análise estatística (SPSS 21.0; teste t de student, p <= 0,05). Foi encontrada diferença estatística significante entre o GM e GC na lateralidade direita, para o MD (p = 0,02); lateralidade esquerda, para o TE (p = 0,01); mastigação com amendoim, para o MD (p = 0,04); mastigação com uva-passa, para o ME (p = 0,04); força de mordida molar direita (p = 0,03); ângulos do quadrante superior: triângulo de Talles do lado operado (p = 0,03) e ângulo esternoclavicular (p = 0,00) e ângulos do quadrante inferior: inclinação do pé do lado operado (p = 0,00) e não operado (p = 0,03) e ângulo tibiotársico do lado operado (p = 0,03). Não houve diferença estatística significante entre os GM e GC para espessura muscular e na comparação do lado operado e não operado (em todas as variáveis). Baseado nos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que o sistema estomatognático e a postura corporal de mulheres submetidas à mastectomia unilateral apresentaram alterações funcionais, com destaque para hiperatividade muscular, redução na eficiência mastigatória, menor força de mordida molar e postura corporal inadequada, quando comparadas com mulheres sem a doença. / Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm of women in the world and the most common in the Brazilian population. Mastectomy is one of the procedures performed for the treatment and can cause several physical and functional changes such as lymphedema, range of motion limitation, neuropraxia, muscular imbalances and postural alteration. The stomatognathic system is a complex system that can be influenced in its function by postural deficits. The objective of this study was to analyze the electromyographic activity in different postural conditions of the mandible, thickness of the right (RT) and left (LT) temporal muscle and right (RM) and left (LM) masseter muscle, but also the maximum molar bite strength, masticatory efficiency and body posture of women undergoing unilateral mastectomy. Thirtytwo women were divided into two groups: MG, unilateral mastectomy group (n=16), average age of 56,50±14,50 years and CG, control group without the disease (n=16), average age of 56,56±14,15 years. The groups were matched individual-to-individual by age and body mass index. The Trigno electromyograph (Delsys Inc., Boston, MA, USA) with wireless surface electrodes was used to evaluate myoelectric activity at rest, right and left laterality, protrusion, maximum voluntary contraction of teeth with and without Parafilm M®. The masticatory function was evaluated by the efficiency of the masticatory cycles using the integral of the linear envelope averages of the electromyographic signal in habitual and non-habitual mastication. The muscular thickness was measured by the image obtained from the Sono Site Titan ultrasound at rest and maxillary voluntary contraction. The Kratos digital dynamometer was used to analyze the maximum molar bite force. Static posture was measured using photogrammetry. The normalized electromyographic data, muscle thickness, maximum molar bite force and photogrammetry were tabulated and submitted to statistical analysis (SPSS 21.0; Student t test, p <= 0.05). A significant statistical difference was found between MG and CG in right laterality, for RM (p = 0,02); left laterality, for LT (p = 0,01); chewing with peanuts, for RM (p = 0,04); chewing with raisins, for LM (p = 0,04); right molar bite force (p = 0,03); upper quadrant angles: Thales triangle operated side (p = 0,03) and sternoclavicular joint angle (p = 0,00) and lower quadrant angles: foot angle operated (p = 0,00) and nonoperated side (p = 0,03) and tibiotarsal angle operated side (p = 0,03). There was no statistically significant difference between MG and CG for muscle thickness and in the comparison of the operated and non-operated side (in all variables). Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the stomatognathic system and the body posture of women submitted to unilateral mastectomy presented functional alterations, with emphasis on muscular hyperactivity, reduction in masticatory efficiency, lower molar bite force and inadequate body posture when compared to women without the disease.