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Purpose: A review of the literature revealed a high incidence of body-image distress among breast cancer survivors who had surgery. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between medical tattooing as a complementary cosmetic intervention and body-image distress and mental health outcomes among breast cancer survivors following surgery., Methods: We examined 330 post-surgical breast cancer survivors collected through a nationwide online survey in the U.S., pursuing two main objectives. First, we investigated body-image distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress in survivors who underwent breast cancer surgery, comparing those with medical tattooing (n = 89) and those without (n = 226). Second, we assessed the influence of the participant's surgery type on body-image distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress. Additionally, we evaluated whether individual factors, such as appearance investment, satisfaction with decision, and cosmetic expectation discrepancy, predicted the participant's body-image distress., Results: Findings suggest that participants with medical tattoos reported significantly lower body-image distress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress compared to those without medical tattoos. The participant's surgery type did not significantly predict body-image distress, depression or anxiety symptoms, or perceived stress. However, participants who reported greater appearance investment endorsed higher body-image distress. Participants who reported higher satisfaction with their treatment decisions and lower cosmetic expectation discrepancy endorsed lower body-image distress., Conclusion: Medical tattooing may be a valuable tool in improving body-image distress and mental health for those who wish to pursue it, but more research is needed. Empirical studies supporting the mental health benefits of medical tattooing among survivors are crucial to standardize insurance coverage and promote its inclusion as a complementary intervention across insurance providers nationwide. This complementary intervention should be considered using a patient-centered approach that aligns with the patient's values and preferences., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Little information is available about the effects of recurrent breast cancer on the quality of life of women and their family members. The present study assessed patients' and family members' quality of life within 1 month after recurrence, and effects of multiple factors on quality-of-life scores., Patients and Methods: Patient/family member dyads (N = 189) participated in this study. A stress-appraisal model guided selection of person factors, social/family factors, illness-related factors, appraisal factors, and quality of life, measured with psychometrically sound instruments. Quality of life was measured with both generic (Medical Outcomes Study SF-36) and cancer-specific (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy) scales., Results: Patients reported significant impairments in physical, functional, and emotional well-being. Family members reported significant impairments in their own emotional well-being. Structural equation modeling revealed that self-efficacy, social support, and family hardiness had positive effects on quality of life, whereas symptom distress, concerns, hopelessness, and negative appraisal of illness or caregiving had detrimental effects. Study variables accounted for a sizable amount of variance in patients' and family members' physical and mental dimensions of quality of life (72% to 81%). Contrary to findings observed in studies of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and spouses, little relationship was found between recurrent patients' and family members' quality of life., Conclusion: Women with recurrent breast cancer are in need of programs to assist them with the severe effects of the disease on their quality of life. Programs need to include family members to help counteract the negative effects of the recurrent disease on their mental health, and to enable them to continue as effective caregivers.