Key Messages:

• Cancer and its treatment can change how your body looks, feels, and performs.
  
  
• It is normal to feel anxious and distressed over changes in your body.
  
  
• Even if you look and feel different from cancer treatment, remember that you are still the same person on the inside.

Body image is how you feel about your appearance. Changes to your body image from cancer and its treatment also affect your self image, which includes how you see your personality, abilities, potential, values, and interests and how you relate to others.

Common physical changes

Not all cancer treatments cause physical changes. Some do, and these changes may be temporary or permanent. Common physical changes associated with cancer and its treatment may include:

• Skin changes
  
  
• Swelling of the face, arms, or legs
  
  
• Decrease in physical skills such as athletic capabilities, balance, and agility
  
  
• Weakness or loss of stamina
  
  
• Changes in your sexual functioning, such as infertility (the inability to conceive a child), early menopause, loss of sexual interest, or erectile difficulties
  
  
• Weight changes, either gaining or losing too much
  
  
• Hair loss from radiation therapy or chemotherapy
  
  
• Scars from surgery
  
  
• Loss of a body part

How physical changes affect body image

Physical appearance is important to most people. For example, skin problems or hair loss can make a person feel self-conscious. Even changes that aren't as visible to others, such as feeling tired, having a hidden scar, infertility, or early menopause can make a person feel differently about himself or herself.

Even if cancer leaves no permanent physical changes, you may still feel different about your body. Some people experience a loss of confidence in their body and its abilities. You may feel that your body has "let you down" or see your body as weak or vulnerable.

However, some cancer survivors describe positive changes in body image. For example, you may appreciate the resilience of your body or discover that issues of weight or body shape matter less. Some people with cancer are inspired to treat their body well by eating healthier foods and exercising.

Common emotional changes

A diagnosis of cancer is always unwelcome, It disrupts so many aspects of your life. Even though having these feelings is normal, coping with these changes can be difficult. These may include:

• Loss of self-confidence
  
  
• Loss of independence
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Anxiety
  
  
• Hopelessness
  
  
• Depression
  
  
• Anger
  
  
• Irritability
  
  
• Inability to sleep
  
  
• Fear and uncertainty
  
  
• Guilt
  
  
• Feeling trapped

Some young adults find that joining a support group to discuss concerns with people in similar situations can help. If concerns about your physical appearance become overwhelming, or if insecurity about your appearance is causing you to avoid people and situations you used to enjoy, ask your doctor for a referral to a psychologist or social worker.

Coping with changes to your body

Physical qualities, such as being athletic or attractive, can be an important part of self-concept for young adults. It is normal to feel sad and distressed over changes in your body. Here are several ways to cope:

• Give yourself time to grieve physical losses and psychological challenges and to adjust to your new body.
  
  
• Talk with other young adults with cancer about how they coped with, and adjusted to, body changes.
  
  
• Be prepared for questions and comments about your appearance and think about how you will respond. If you prefer not to talk about it, just tell your friends it's a private matter.
  
  
• While your body may look and feel different, you are still the same person on the inside. Your personality, interests, and talents are not taken away by cancer. If anything, you may find an emerging talent or strength that you didn't know you possessed.
  
  
• Take care of your body with exercise, good nutrition, and adequate sleep. Learning a new physical skill can help you regain confidence in your body. Check with your doctor as to how much activity you can do.
  
  
• If you are unable to do some of the activities or sports you used to, try to find a new activity that interests you. Some people find a similar activity helpful, whereas others look for something completely different.
  
  
• Ask for a referral to a rehabilitation specialist or fitness coach to help you manage any physical limitations. Read more about rehabilitation.
  
  
• Let your doctors and nurses know of your worries so they can assist you.

More Information

Self-Image and Cancer

Podcast: Look Good…Feel Better

Cancer in Young Adults

Additional Resources

LIVESTRONG: Body Image

Look Good…Feel Better