After Treatment: Body image
Topics covered on this page:
Why might I have problems with my body image after my cancer treatment?
Our body image has much to do with how we see ourselves. Some may have strong beliefs about their body image. It can involve how attractive we believe we are. It also involves how comfortable we feel with our body. It can include how much belief we have in controlling how it functions.
Cancer and cancer treatments can affect how you cope with the changes to your body. Some changes can be visible, meaning what you and others see. Other changes can be non-visible, meaning what others cannot see. This can include how your body feels and how it performs. It is normal to be upset about these changes. There are steps you can take to help you deal with both the visible and non-visible changes. These steps can help you feel better about yourself.
Types of visible changes that can occur
The types of changes caused by cancer and cancer treatments vary from person to person. The changes also vary with the types of treatments. Common visible or physical changes include:
- Scars from surgery
- Hair loss
- Swelling or change in the size or shape of a body part
- Skin changes such as redness, itching, sensitivity, or pain in the treatment area
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Problems with balance, movement, or physical activity
- Muscle weakness or fatigue that does not go away
- Changes in sexual functions. For men it can include erectile difficulties. For women this can include vaginal dryness, infertility, and early menopause.
These changes may be temporary or permanent. It is important to speak with your healthcare team about the changes you experience. Your healthcare team can help you find ways to manage them. See, Communicating with your healthcare team.
How does it affect me?
Visible changes
These may cause discomfort with how you see yourself in a mirror. You may be concerned how others will comment on the changes that they may see. This may affect the way you interact with other people. It may also cause you to avoid doing things you used to enjoy. There are ways to deal with comments from others about your body.
Consider the following steps to help you control the conversation:
- Prepare for comments or questions from friends and coworkers. They may comment on changes they see or how you look.
- Decide how you want to respond to them before they bring up the subject.
- You can simply reply by saying that you are not ready to discuss the subject.
Nonvisible changes
Others often do not see the changes that you see and feel. These include fatigue, discomfort, or hidden scars that may make you feel different about yourself. There may also be loss of sexual interest.
Body image can impact your identity. You may find that you cannot do everything you used to do. You may not like the fact that you cannot continue some activities. You may find that you have less sense of control. It is important to take time to adjust to the changes of your body. Remember that you are still yourself. Try to discover other new things that you may enjoy.
Products that may help with reaffirming identity after a mastectomy can be found here.
Will it get better?
Some changes are temporary, and your body image can improve. For changes that are permanent, you may take longer to accept your new body. This is normal. As you learn to cope with your body image, you will feel less negative about yourself. With time, feelings about your body image can become positive. Changes to your body can represent your strength and survival.
Be patient with yourself. Each person comes to acceptance at their own time. In the section below, you will find some ways that can help you to cope easier.
What can I do to manage changes to my body image?
Non- Visible Changes:
You may find it difficult to cope with these changes Try to think of the changes to your body image as not all negative. It can help to try to keep a positive outlook. The changes can also make you more aware of your body. This may help you to recognize all that your body can do. It may even inspire you to lead a healthier lifestyle (eat well and move your body).
Here are some resources to consider when facing your nonvisible changes:
Psychosocial Support: can include psychologist, social worker, sex therapist.
Support Group: one-to-one or group sessions where you can share common issues.
Nutritionist: to review questions about healthy food.
Canadian Cancer Society: see Tool Section below
Visible or Physical Changes:
The table below provides general actions to manage or reduce physical body changes. The actions may help you to deal with the changes to your personal body image. Please speak to your healthcare team about strategies that work best for you.
Your healthcare team can help you to manage changes to your self-image. They can also help you find support groups where you can share your experiences with other people. Support groups include others who are going through the same issues as you. You may share your story and learn how others cope. Additionally, you can find magazines, workshops (virtual and in person), & free products here.
Consider also this book or this audiobook to further understand and get advice on body image changes.
Body change
Actions to take
Hair loss (alopecia)
- Wear a head covering such as a hat, scarf, or wig
Dry, thin, or brittle hair
- Use only gentle hair products and non-medicated shampoo.
- Use a wide-toothed comb and start combing your hair from the ends and work upward.
- Use brushes with wide-spaced prongs rather than closely packed bristles.
Nail problems
- Wear protective gloves when doing housework or gardening.
- Keep your fingernails and toenails short.
- Moisturise your hands and feet regularly, especially around the nails.
Dry skin
- Wash with warm (not hot) water and use a mild, unscented soap-free cleanser.
- Limit the amount of time you spend in the tub or shower.
- Moisturise your skin regularly.
- If your lips are dry, use a lip balm.
Oily skin
- Use a good cleanser and a light, oil-free moisturiser (unscented).
- After washing, be sure to remove all cleanser with a soft cloth.
- Avoid exfoliating your skin or using harsh products that may remove too much of the moisture from your skin.
Skin rashes or spots
- Have any rash or spot checked by your cancer doctor or specialist nurse.
Masectomy
- Consider a special bra or other mastectomy products. Your healthcare team can help you locate local merchants or online resources for these products.
⚠ Important information about cannabis
Some patients do use cannabis to reduce pain, help with relaxation, or as a sleeping aid. However, the research is still unclear about the use of cannabis to manage symptoms. It is important to talk to your doctor before trying cannabis. For more information on what cancer patients should know about cannabis, go to: www.bccancer.ca/health-info/coping-with-cancer/medical-cannabis.
Available services
The Quebec Cancer Foundation supports people with cancer and their loved ones throughout Quebec, through services suited to their needs and daily concerns.
Services offered
Several services and activities offered by the Quebec Cancer Foundation can be useful to help navigate matters concerning your body image and sexuality including psychological support and information hotlines; telephone peer-matching, art therapy, guided meditation, restorative yoga, massage therapy, and therapeutic gymnastics. The Quebec Cancer foundation also features additional services like community events. You may reference documentary resources on this subject on their website.
Contact
1-800-561-0063
The mission of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is to promote the well-being of cancer patients and their families through research, innovation, support and awareness.
They offer many services including information and support hotlines, as well as resources adapted to the needs of people affected by cancer and their families.
Services offered
The Quebec Breast Cancer foundation offers psychosocial support. The social workers from the support service can also help manage physical changes and develop strategies to live better with the process of accepting and reappropriation of one’s body.
My Active Health: a service that helps by offering physical activities on a regular basis which contribute to relieving body image issues, such as:
- My mobile application
- My exercise videos
- My oncologic yoga
- Dragon Boat Teams
Additional Information: https://rubanrose.org/en/inform-me/after-cancer/recovery-and-breast-cancer/
You can also share your experience with others who have gone through the same thing on their online communities:
Parlons cancer du sein Facebook group
Club stade 4 Facebook group
They offer support for people with cancer and their family, friends and caregivers.
Their information specialists are there to answer your questions and offer up-to-date, reliable information on topics that include:
- cancer treatment and side effects
- clinical trials
- coping with cancer
- emotional support services
- prevention
- help in the community
- complementary therapies
The Cancer Information helpline is available Monday to Friday in English and French from 8 h to 18 h HE. For other languages, they can access an interpreter service.
Contact
Website and live-chat: Talk to an information specialist | Canadian Cancer Society
(Toll free) number: 1-888-939-3333
Cancer information and support | Canadian Cancer Society
You can also access the CCS database below to find support services in your area:
Service locators
Cancer Canadian Society (National)
The Regroupement des Organisations Communautaires en Oncologie (ROCO) offers a service locator resource specific to the province of Quebec. It lists support resources available by region.
Contact
514-506-3503
The Quebec Cancer Foundation offers a resources directory of community, association and public resources by region or postal code.
The foundation also has a document lending service. Their materials (books, web resources, online articles, webcasts) cover a wide range of topics related to cancer. It is free to borrow and materials are sent by mail or email anywhere in Quebec.
Contact
1-800-363-0063 (Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST)
Acknowledgement of sources
The content of this document has been adapted from the following sources:
- UHN, Managing Body Image Concerns After Cancer Treatment
- American Society of Clinical Oncology, Body Image After Cancer
- Sunnybrook, body image and breast cancer: a resource for women
- Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, Hair Loss (Alopecia)
- Macmillan Cancer Support, Feel More Like You
- Canadian Cancer Society, Coping with body image and self-esteem worries
Healthcare professional endorsement
The content of this document has been reviewed and approved by a team of healthcare professionals and clinical experts.
Disclaimer
Please note that this fact sheet is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a healthcare professional. Rather, it was designed to complement interventions by your treating team. If you have questions about your health, or any medical issue, you should contact a healthcare professional right away. You should not delay seeking medical advice, or disregard professional medical advice, because of information in this fact sheet. Before beginning any health treatment, always consult your doctor. All care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate at the time of publication. e-IMPAQc is not responsible for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of, or related to, any use of the fact sheet, or because of any errors or omissions.
Reproduction and copyright
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