I've got a very dichotomous difference in the way that I perceive myself

Positive and negative constructions of body image following cancer treatment

Bibliographic Data

ID4992913
AuthorsSarah Grogan (0000-0002-7510-765X, Manchester Metropolitan University), Jayne Mechan (Manchester Metropolitan University), Sofia Persson (0000-0002-7353-5204, Manchester Metropolitan University), Sive Finlay (0000-0001-5100-4819, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute), Matthew Hall (0000-0001-5170-6124)
Year2019
Volume24
Issue10
Pages1368-1377
Publication date2019-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Health Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1359-1053 • E-ISSN: 1461-7277
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1359105317730896
PMID28929823
OpenAlexW2754062743
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited30

This study investigated how women constructed body image following cancer. Four women, aged 32-67 years, who had experienced breast or bowel cancer took part in a 2-hour, in-depth focus group. Discourse analysis revealed that women orientated to positive aspects of the post-treatment body (silhouette, trust, acceptance) while acknowledging that their experiences were also traumatic (hair loss, scarring, sickness, swelling). Bodies and illness were concealed from public judgment, and women developed new trust in their bodies due to overcoming cancer; post-cancer bodies were accepted despite opportunities for normalisation. Implications for those wanting to support women during and after cancer are discussed

Cancer · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obesity and Health Practices · Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Internal Medicine · Social Psychology