TY - JOUR
T1 - Women's experiences of an altered appearance during chemotherapy: an indication of cancer status
AU - Harcourt, D.
AU - Frith, Hannah
N1 - © 2008 Sage Publications
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - This study explores breast cancer
patients’ experiences of chemotherapy
treatment, with a focus on the impact
of an altered appearance during this
time. We present two key themes from
the thematic analysis of interviews
with 19 women: anxiety that
chemotherapy will render them
identifiable as a ‘person-with-cancer’;
and problematic interactions with others. We discuss how changes in appearance can reveal disease status to others, demonstrate the personal impact of temporary changes to
appearance, relate these findings to literature on psychosocial aspects of disfigurement and consider the provision of psychosocial care for
women experiencing an altered appearance during chemotherapy.
AB - This study explores breast cancer
patients’ experiences of chemotherapy
treatment, with a focus on the impact
of an altered appearance during this
time. We present two key themes from
the thematic analysis of interviews
with 19 women: anxiety that
chemotherapy will render them
identifiable as a ‘person-with-cancer’;
and problematic interactions with others. We discuss how changes in appearance can reveal disease status to others, demonstrate the personal impact of temporary changes to
appearance, relate these findings to literature on psychosocial aspects of disfigurement and consider the provision of psychosocial care for
women experiencing an altered appearance during chemotherapy.
U2 - 10.1177/1359105308090932
DO - 10.1177/1359105308090932
M3 - Article
SN - 1359-1053
VL - 13
SP - 597
EP - 606
JO - Journal of Health Psychology
JF - Journal of Health Psychology
IS - 5
ER -