BODY OF WORK Women’s body image struggles and support by Tania Amardeil.

Body of Work

Women’s Body Image Struggles & Support on the Cancer Journey. Tania Amardeil

For many women living with cancer or in remission, changes in their appearance can be a major source of concern and anxiety. This is not vanity. Much of our identity is related to our physical appearance from how we wear our hair to what clothes we put on. Body shape and size, including breasts, are often tied to a woman sense of self, self-expression, sexuality, and self-esteem.

Appearance-related impacts of cancer can be temporary (like hair loss and skin changes) or more permanent (like surgery or scarring). They can all affect women at a time when they may already feel vulnerable, which can negatively impact their mental and emotional health. For many women facing a cancer diagnosis, there's enough to cope with emotionally without also feeling that there's no space to speak about body image issues or that it is somehow selfish or vain to worry about them. For DeeJay Jodoin, a B.C. woman in remission, changes to her physical appearance like hair loss and weight gain were hard to accept. “It [cancer treatment] alters your appearance. You want to get back to the way you were, but it takes time.”

THE PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL CONNECTION

“Women going through cancer treatment often experience a change in their body image and in their relationship with their body,” says Monique Voorn, a social worker at the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre in Barrie, Ontario. “They may be unhappy about how their appearance has changed, whether they’ve had breast surgery or scars they don’t like, or lymphedema. Sometimes, a woman may not have had significant visual changes to her body but feels like her body has failed her or that she can’t count on it.”

There can also be physical changes that women may not expect. “With radiation, there are skin changes,” notes Larissa Dyck, an oncology nurse in Calgary, Alberta. “The area that’s treated can end up darker and may take a while to fade, and skin can get tighter and be uncomfortable for some patients, causing a loss of range of motion. Keloids - a type of raised scar that can arise after a surgery — can be a particular concern for women of colour specifically. Weight can be an issue, too. Being on hormones can cause weight changes that can turn women’s body image completely upside down and they can get really down on themselves.”

It takes time for women to recognize and appreciate the full impact of the changes they’ve undergone during their cancer journey. “It’s often near the end of treatment when it really hits women what they’ve been through and all the changes they’ve undergone – physical and otherwise,” says Dyck. “When patients are finished their treatment, they expect things to go back to normal — but they may still be on long-term hormones or medication, and that’s when it can be really hard for these women. They expect their bodies to just bounce back, and they want to go back to work and exercise, but things aren’t the same as before.”

EMPOWERMENT IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY WOMAN

While physical symptoms can affect women in a finite number of ways, the emotional experience is different for everyone. “When some women lose their hair with chemo, they’ll proudly wear a head scarf,” says Dyck. “Other women have a complete loss of identity and want to wear a wig. They may fear that their partners won’t be attracted to them.”

Social Worker Monique Voorn agrees: “There’s a wave or rollercoaster ride of emotions in any type of cancer. There’s a lot of grief. We grieve all kinds of changes or losses in our lives that cancer brings — to your body, to your innocence, and to the carefree way that you may have used to experience life.”

Every woman’s experience, perspective and cancer journey are unique. They want to be listened to as individuals, and they don’t want assumptions to be made about how they feel about their body. Allowing and accepting different experiences, reactions, and stages of grieving is part of the process. Every decision – from choosing a wig versus scarf, or breast reconstruction versus breast forms or living flat – is personal and empowering to each woman.

With the right tools and support, women can gain confidence in their ability to restore or renew their sense of self — however they may choose to define it.

There are many programs offering practical and emotional support, as well as individual options. Share your concerns with your medical team and ask for help. Check out your hospital’s resource library or the many online options.

EVERY DAY WE MAKE WOMEN FEEL LIKE THEMSELVES AGAIN

At a Look Good Feel Better workshop, women with cancer can learn how to manage the appearance-related impact of cancer and its treatment in a small supportive group.

SKINCARE & COSMETICS Learn how to care for sensitive skin plus tips & techniques for managing the loss of brows and lashes, adding colour back to the face, makeup hygiene and sun safety.

BREAST CARE, FORM & GARMENTS Learn about options available for postsurgery and beyond, what to expect at a breast form fitting, tips for where to find financial coverage, and more.

WIGS & HAIR ALTERNATIVES

See a demonstration on various head coverings, what to consider when selecting a wig, easy scarf-tying techniques, plus caring for your scalp during and after treatment.

TEENS

This special workshop just for teens includes skincare, on-trend make-up tips to feel your best and a demonstration of fun styles for caps, wraps and hair alternatives.

Register at: https://lgfb.ca/workshop

Join us in raising the self-esteem of 3.5 million+ 44 I LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER young Canadians