Mastectomy with tears: breast cancer surgery in the early nineteenth century

ConclusionsBreast cancer surgery was accompanied by enormous emotional and physical distress and significant risks from bleeding and infection. Although efforts were being made to give women a greater voice and autonomy in society, their position when receiving health care remained largely a submissive one. Lack of information, feelings of vulnerability, helplessness and loss of control occurred. The public perception of detachment most likely accounted for the occasional negative stigma then associated with the surgical profession.
Source: ANZ Journal of Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research