Table 3 Mapping of codes to the BREAST-Q scales
Domain | BREAST-Q Item | No. of codes that mapped per item | Subcodes (where applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
Satisfaction-breast(s) (n = 485) | Look in the mirror-clothed | 39 | |
Shape of breast(s)-bra on | 26* | ||
Feel normal-clothed | 8 | ||
Size of breast(s) | 19 | ||
Wear fitted clothing | 55* | ||
Breasts lined up | 20 | ||
Bra fit | 31 | ||
Softness of breast(s) | 45 | ||
Breasts equal in size | 26 | ||
Breast(s)-natural looking | 16 | ||
Breast(s)-sit/hang | 11 | ||
Breasts-touch | 25 | ||
Breasts-part of body | 23 | ||
Breasts-matched | 34 | ||
Look in mirror-clothed | 74* | ||
Implant-Rippling/Wrinkling | 5 | ||
Clothing type | 24 | ||
Movement | 4 | ||
Satisfaction—nipples and areola (n = 44) | Size | 5 | |
Shape | 2 | ||
Natural | 4 | ||
Color | 11 | ||
Projection | 7 | ||
Position | 1 | ||
Similar | 1 | ||
Sensation | 5 | ||
Soft | 1 | ||
Look overall | 7 | ||
Satisfaction – cleavage (n = 14) | Scale under development | ||
Satisfaction – scar (n = 116) | Mapped to SCAR-Q | ||
Psychological wellbeing (n = 127) | Confident-social situation | 24 | |
Emotionally able | 1 | ||
Emotionally healthy | 21 | ||
Equal worth to other women | 1 | ||
Self-confident | 4 | ||
Feminine | 1 | ||
Accepting of body | 50 | ||
Normal | 3 | ||
Like other women | 15 | ||
Attractive | 7 | ||
Physical wellbeing – chest (n = 565) | Pain-chest | 69 | |
Difficulty moving/lifting arm | 58 | ||
Difficulty sleeping | 25 | ||
Tightness-breast area | 61 | ||
Pulling-breast area | 42 | ||
Nagging feeling | 1 | ||
Tenderness | 1 | ||
Sharp pain | 24 | ||
Aching feeling | 8 | ||
Throbbing | 7 | ||
Arm swelling | 25 | ||
Other Arm codes^ | 374 | ||
Breast swelling | 14 | ||
Breast sensation | 230 | Numbness (n = 71) Tingling (n = 34) Heavy (n = 27) Temperature changes (n = 19) Itchy (n = 12) Pressure (n = 9) Other abnormal sensation (n = 58) eg, burning, milk let-down, twinges | |
Comfortable/at ease | 44 | At ease-overall (n = 8) At ease re. partner touching/looking at breasts (n = 34) At ease re. touching own breasts (n = 2) | |
Confident | 8 | Self-conscious (n = 2) Confident (n = 6) | |
Satisfied | 55 | Drive/arousal (n = 11) Frequency (n = 33) Quality (n = 7) Overall (n = 4) | |
Confident-breast appearance | 23 | Appearance of breasts and nipple (n = 23) | |
Sexually attractive-unclothed | 30 | Look overall-unclothed (n = 30) | |
Adverse effects of radiation (n = 79) | Skin-look different | 40 | Color changes (n = 5) Overall different (n = 35) |
Marks on skin | 3 | Brownish-black marks/looks burnt (n = 3) | |
Skin-dry | 7 | Dry (n = 3) Itchy (n = 4) | |
Skin-sore to touch | 17 | Sore/painful/discomfort/tender (n = 9) Sensitive (n = 8) | |
Skin-thicker when touched | 11 | Feels different (n = 11) | |
Skin-irritated by clothing | 1 | Clothing rubs against skin (n = 1) | |
Other arm codes (n = 374) | Physical wellbeing | 135 | Function Activity avoidance/behaviour (n = 27) Work impact (n = 11) Difficulty sleeping (n = 7) Difficulty lifting or moving arms (n = 90)# |
103 | Symptoms Sensation-arm (n = 39) Pain (n = 33) Fatigue (n = 17) Skin changes (n = 6) Dexterity/Grip (n = 6) Pulling (n = 2) | ||
Psychological wellbeing | 29 | Distress | |
Satisfaction | 47 | Arm sleeve | |
60 | Arm appearance | ||