‘Sometimes I can't look in the mirror’: Recognising the importance of the sociocultural context in patient experiences of sexuality, relationships and body image after ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objective: Ovarian cancer (OC) can significantly change the way women feel about their body. However, personal accounts regarding these changes are lacking in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the ways in which OC can affect relationships, sexuality, womanhood and body image.Methods: Ninety-eight Australian women aged 18 and over diagnosed with OC completed an online survey that invited narrative responses to open-ended questions about relationships, sexuality, body image and womanhood following OC treatment.Responses were analysed thematically while applying a sociocultural lens.Results: Three themes and two subthemes were identified: Failure and Loss of Femininity and Womanhood, Internalising Public Perception of Body and Illness and Altered Relationships which comprised two subthemes, Loss of the Sexual Self and Relationship Burden. These themes suggest women view themselves and their relationships in comparison with sociocultural understandings of body normalcy. Women often questioned their self-worth, their relationships and place within society due to changes in fertility, sexuality and bodily functioning. Conclusion:These results highlight a need for health care professionals to open dialogue with women about sexuality and ensure information and support is given to reduce stigma and positively influence self-perception and increase body acceptance.

Does Cognitive Behavioral Art Therapy Practices Change the Perception of Femininity in Women Diagnosed with Gynecological Cancer? A Case Study

“…(4) tarafından yapılan bir çalışmada çoğunluğu over kanser tanısı almış hastalarda saç dökülmesi ile beden imajının zedelendiği ve bazı hastalarda saçlar geldikten sonra da bu durumun tamamen devam ettiği bildirilmiştir. Kadın kimliğine atfedilen organlar ve kadınsı özelliklerin (saç gibi…) kaybı ile kadınlarda kimlik duygusu ciddi olarak zedelenirken kadınlık algısı olumsuz anlamda etkilenmektedir (4,6,10,14,15). Kanser hastaları ile gerek bireysel gerek grupla yapılan psikolojik müdahaleler incelendiğinde; Bilişsel Davranışçı Terapi (BDT), farkındalık temelli müdahaleler, kabul ve kararlılık terapileri, farkındalık temelli sanat terapi gibi dışavurumcu tekniklerin kanser hastaları üzerindeki etkilerinin çalışıldığı görülmektedir (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21).…”