Body image in women with breastcancer

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in Sweden today. To get a breast cancer diagnose can be a traumatic experience for many women. It´s difficult to forsee how these women are going to control their situation. When a breast has to be removed because of cancer, the women has to adjust to changes in both physical and phychological aspects. The aim of this study was to elucidate body image in women with breast cancer after a mastectomy. Six scientific articles, which quality was critically checked, composed the basis of this study. The findings of the study were classified into three categories: The feeling of loss, ability to adjust to a changed body and the feeling of womanhood. In the findings the women describe a changed body image that affects their ordinary lives. They also brought up the feeling of not beeing able to feel like a woman and feelings of unattractiveness, a changed relationship to both partners and relatives and difficulties in accepting themselves. It is important to help these women to face their changed body image, related to their illness.