Social Support And Its Relationship With Life Satisfaction Among Women With Breast Cancer: A Field Study Of Six (06) Cases At The Mustapha Pacha University Hospital Center, Algeria

Abstract

Throughout life, individuals face numerous unwelcome experiences that threaten their well-being, such as cancer, which poses a serious threat to life and disrupts the patient's daily existence. Among various types of cancer, breast cancer is one that affects women and has significant negative impacts, both physically and psychologically. The breast is considered an essential part of a woman's femininity, beauty, and motherhood, and its loss or damage can lead to a disturbance in psychological, physical, and social balance. This results in feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness, as well as challenges in establishing social relationships with others due to feelings of embarrassment. This condition often leads to a loss of self-confidence and a distorted body image due to the removal of this vital part of the body. Consequently, in addition to medical treatment, women diagnosed with cancer require social support in its emotional, material, and moral dimensions. The feeling of being supported by others, especially close family members and friends, is crucial in alleviating anxiety and suffering. Based on this, the following question arises: Is there a relationship between the level of social support and the degree of life satisfaction in breast cancer patients?