I've Got a Very Dichotomous Difference in the Way That I Perceive Myself: Positive and Negative Constructions of Body Image Following Cancer Treatment

    September 2017 in “ Journal of health psychology ”
    Sarah Grogan, Jayne Mechan, Sofia Persson, Sive Finlay, Matthew Hall
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    TLDR Women who had cancer treatment feel both positive and negative about their bodies.
    The study explored the body image perceptions of four women aged between 32 and 67 who had undergone treatment for breast or bowel cancer. Through a 2-hour focus group and subsequent discourse analysis, it was found that these women had a complex view of their bodies post-treatment. They recognized positive changes such as an improved silhouette, a newfound trust, and acceptance of their bodies. However, they also acknowledged the traumatic aspects of their experience, including hair loss, scarring, sickness, and swelling. The participants tended to hide their bodies and illness to avoid public scrutiny but also expressed a sense of trust in their bodies for having survived cancer. Despite the possibility of returning to a more 'normal' appearance, they accepted their post-cancer bodies. The study suggests that understanding these nuanced perceptions can aid in providing better support to women during and after cancer treatment.
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