Abstract:
This study aimed to examine and explain the suffering experienced by women with
breast cancer post-mastectomy from the Socialist Feminist perspective .The study used
qualitative methodology and 10 women participated .The results of this study indicated that
womens suffering included the beginning of finding out about the disease process, the
decision-making period concerning surgery, the surgery day, and the lived experiences
during recovery in the hospital and at their home. All of these participants had the accidental
experience of discovering the lump or breast disease. All of them had similar significant
experiences of suffering such as embarrassment, suspicious, anxiety and fear. A sense of
power and self, which were caused by patriarchal capitalist constructions, affected on the
decision- making process concerning health care professional. Women who have both more
power and a higher self often make the decision quickly. Women who have less power and a
lower self frequently hesitate and delay to visiting a health care professional .The women
who delay often suffer for a long period of time . Moreover, if a sense of power and self
add up with capitalism in the context of private hospital, the total of these subjects have to go
to the hospital for investigating their breasts, and end up with the mastectomy surgery by
patriarchal capitalism( example maternal or wifes ideology) and power of health care
professional, which constructed to them .On the surgery day, womens suffering resulted in
the patriarchal capitalism constructions such as a fear that they could not care of their family
etc. This brought about anxiety behavior until the time they enter the operation room.
Concerning post-operative suffering, women suffer rapidly and this reduces their sense of
power and self, which started even they were not full consciousness by means of the absence
of femininity throughout their power. Women cannot continue or may not have their power
completely. This means their power were distracted to the other. Therefore, their role and
authority have change including their responsibility and power will decrease gradually.
Ultimately, womens power deplete.
It is recommended that womens suffer from power and self that construct by
patriarchal capitalism. Women should have been empowered in terms of establishing policy
to enhance secure education, career, income and welfare including the accurate health
information. Health care professional should to keep in mind that do not violate the right and
idea of women.