Body Image After Cancer: Expert Tips for Dealing With Insecurities During and After Treatment
In our Body Image After Cancer series, we talk to cancer survivors and experts about body image difficulties after a cancer diagnosis — and how to overcome them.
Many people experience body image insecurities, but for those coping with cancer and its aftermath, it can be particularly difficult. Cancer, as well as the required treatments and surgeries, can lead to many physical changes, including scarring and even amputation.
Additionally, the side effects of treatment — such as hair loss from chemotherapy, weight loss or weight gain from certain medications, and changes to skin from radiation — can dramatically alter someone’s appearance and negatively impact how they feel about their body. In fact, one study found that almost 60 percent of cancer patients had a negative body image, regardless of the type of cancer, kind of treatment, or duration of illness.
”Some people might consider body image to be a superficial or minor part of the cancer experience because physical survival tends to be the main focus. However, the way we feel about [our appearance] is a core component of our identity and sense of self-worth,” says Wendy Griffith, LCSW, an oncology social worker and program manager of the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “When our body image suffers, our self-esteem suffers, and overall quality of life does, too.”
Here are expert tips for dealing with body image insecurities during and after cancer treatment.
Body Image Pitfalls to Be Aware Of
Insecurities Can Surface After Treatment Has Ended
You might expect your body — and how you feel about it — to snap back to normal once cancer treatment ends, but that’s not always the case. After treatment you may still have visible scarring, your hair might have grown back a different color or texture, or you may experience long-term changes to your skin from radiation. “[People often] make assumptions about what changes will be temporary and what changes will be permanent, but only time can tell for sure,” Griffith says.
Not All Insecurities Are Physical
Physical changes after cancer treatment — like weight loss or gain, surgical scars, and disfigurement — can be long-term or even permanent. But so can less-tangible changes, Griffith notes. “What [people’s] bodies are capable of doing changes quite a bit after treatment,” she says. “People don’t always [attach] that to body image, but it really does tie back into their sense of self, self-worth, and confidence.”
For example, if you get fatigued more quickly, or aren't able to run the same distance or lift the same weights as you could before your diagnosis, you may be frustrated, depressed, and have decreased self-esteem.
Struggles With Body Image Can Affect Your Relationships
“Isolation is a big [issue] as people start feeling more uncomfortable [with their bodies],” Griffith says. For instance, people might skip certain activities, like going to the beach, if they feel self-conscious in a bathing suit, she says. Or they might distance themselves from friends, family members, or romantic partners because they want to hide their body or feel ashamed to share their struggles.
Ways to Cope With Body Image Insecurities
Seek Out Support
The antidote to shame? Find a trusted confidant to talk to, Griffith says, such as a social worker at your cancer center, a fellow cancer patient or survivor, or a supportive family member or friend.
“Even a support group or social media,” she adds. “We’ve seen a lot of support platforms that have popped up on Facebook and Instagram. Just watching those feeds and seeing those comments can really help validate these experiences.”
Take Baby Steps
If you’re feeling insecure about your body and the changes it has undergone as a result of cancer treatment, going from hating your body to loving and embracing it can feel impossible — but you don't have to make such a big leap all at once.
Set realistic goals, Griffith recommends. “[Try] moving from disliking your body toward acceptance. And then maybe satisfaction is the next goal,” she says. “You don’t have to go from 0 to 100 — there are plenty of steps along the way.” Slow, gentle progress will lead to incrementally feeling better about your body.
“An easy way to start is by surrounding yourself with body-positive social media accounts, stories, content, and images,” Griffith says. “[This] doesn’t require any significant change; it just adds more body-affirming ways of thinking that might start to catch on unconsciously.
“[When you feel] ready to focus on your body, make a list of the physical aspects of yourself that you like or frequently get complimented on,” she continues. “Try to focus on those mentally, highlight them physically (with clothing, makeup, accessories, etc.), and remind yourself of them each time you encounter a negative thought.”
Talk to Your Doctor
If there’s some aspect of your body that you’re dissatisfied with after cancer treatment — whether it’s an external physical change like a rippled appearance to implants from breast reconstruction, or an internal one such as decreased energy levels — don’t assume that you're stuck with it forever. If, for example, you’re experiencing body aches, muscle deconditioning, or fatigue, or you’re unhappy with the appearance of a scar, there may be remedies, Griffith says.
“Talk to your doctor about what might be possible [and] what is realistic for your situation,” she says. “Ask them about interventions, including physical, occupational, or pelvic floor therapy; adjustments to medications or dosages; injections or surgery for scars; [or] nutritional counseling.
“Continue to communicate with your oncologist,” she says, and let them know what you’re experiencing. “They may not have answers [or] there may not be a solution … but at least they’ll be aware of the common issues that their patients might be facing.”
Many cancer survivors minimize their body image difficulties; after confronting a life-threatening illness, people might not feel like they’re entitled to be concerned about physical changes.
But body image concerns can have serious consequences and shouldn’t be dismissed. They can have a significant negative impact on mental health and quality of life, and cause people to miss out on experiences, close relationships, and even their own happiness.
If you struggle with this, knowing that you’re not alone, seeking support and connection, and being kind to yourself can help. Acknowledge everything your body has been through, Griffith says. “Try to have compassion for [yourself].”
Resources We Love
Here are some helpful sources of support for body image insecurities and other cancer-related mental and emotional concerns.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s free one-on-one peer support service for cancer patients and survivors is open to anyone, regardless of where they received treatment — as well as their caregivers. Trained cancer survivor and caregiver volunteers serve as peer mentors, and peer matches can be requested based on diagnosis, treatment, and other relevant factors.
Free resources, community, events, and an online support group for LGBTQIA+ adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.
One-on-one peer mentorship for cancer patients, survivors, previvors (those with a genetic predisposition to cancer who haven’t yet developed the disease), and caregivers, provided free of charge. Mentor-mentee matches are based on factors such as age, gender, cancer type, and experience.
And organization that provides no-cost oncology-sensitive makeup and skin-care products and services for people affected by cancer, including virtual makeup application tips sessions with an expert where clean, customized beauty products are sent to the participant in advance.
Young Adult Survivors United (YASU)
Free emotional, social, and financial support for young adult (YA) cancer survivors and their caregivers. Support groups are offered both virtually and in person, and include monthly African American and LGBTQ+ groups.