Body image and sexuality in women survivors of breast cancer in India: Qualitative findings

Abstract

Objectives:With increasing rates of breast cancer survivors, psychosocial issues surrounding cancer survivorship have been gaining prominence. The following article reports on body image and sexuality-related issues in aftermath of the diagnosis and its treatment in the Indian context.Materials and Methods:Research design was mixed method, cross–sectional, and exploratory in nature. Quantitative sample consisted of fifty survivors while the qualitative sample size included 15 out of the 50 total breast cancer survivors who were recruited from hospitals, nongovernmental organization, and through word-of-mouth. Data was collected using quantitative measures, and in-depth interviews were done using semi-structured interview schedule that was developed for the study. Qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive phenomenological approach.Results:In body image, emerging themes were about identity (womanhood, motherhood, and attractiveness), impact of surgery, hair loss, clothes, and uncomfortable situations. In sexuality, barriers were faced due to difficulty in disclosure and themes were about adjustments made by spouses, role of age, and sexual difficulties due to treatment.Conclusions:Findings imply need to address the issues of body image and sexuality as it impacts quality of life of survivors.

Translation and Factor Analysis of the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illnesses 8-Item Version Among Iranian Women With Breast Cancer

“…Mona Daryaafzoon 1 , Mohammadali Amini-Tehrani 2,3 , Zahra Zohrevandi 4 , Mehrnoush Hamzehlouiyan 2 , Amene Ghotbi 3 , Samira Zarrabi-Ajami 1 , Hadi Zamanian 5 * the concerns for the majority of the patients, which could bring about some internal distress resulting in negative body image perception (Kang et al, 2018) and intervening in their sexual life (Barthakur et al, 2017). Indeed, the feeling of embarrassment at the naked body may lead such patients to avoid sexual relationship and experience shame and distress (Mroczek et al, 2012;Gopie et al, 2013).…”

Relationships between health literacy and quality of life among survivors with breast cancer

“…QOL refers to a ‘good life’ that comprises tangible (physical) and intangible (mental) components (Meeberg, 1993). Diverse side effects that are related to treatments and comorbidities, for example, arm lymphedema (Barthakur et al, 2017; Zou et al, 2018), endometrial cancer (Cuzick et al, 2010), infection (Vuttanon et al, 2017), skin damage and pulmonary fibrosis (Horton & Bellon, 2015) can lessen QOL. Severe side effects are experienced most significantly within 2 to 5 years postdiagnosis (Gao & Dizon, 2013) and have been found to cause poorer states of physical and mental health (Zhang et al, 2015; Zhao et al, 2014).…”

“End-of-life care is more than wound care”: Health-care providers' perceptions of psychological and interpersonal needs of patients with terminal cancer

“…The participants reported the hesitations the patients have in discussing these concerns: body image concerns, fears about rejection from the partner, less communication about sexual needs, and other issues concerning sexual well-being have been researched most often among women with breast cancer. [3233] Clearly, there are barriers to discuss sexuality concerns in palliative care settings, although the expression of intimacy needs might be particularly vital at this stage, when relationships with loved ones are time limited. [34] Research in palliative care populations has indicated that patients want to discuss their intimacy-related concerns with their care providers.…”