Body Image in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Body image is a complex issue with the potential to impact many aspects of cancer survivorship, particularly for the younger breast cancer survivor. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to synthesize the current state of the science for body image in younger women with breast cancer. METHODS: Combinations of the terms "body image," "sexuality intervention," "women," "younger women," and "breast cancer" were searched in the PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Knowledge, and Science Direct databases through January 2014. Inclusion criteria for this review were (1) original research, (2) published in English from the year 2000 forward, (3) measuring body image as an outcome variable, and (4) results included reporting of age-related outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were cross-sectional, with extensive variation in body image assessment tools. Age and treatment type had a significant impact on body image, and poorer body image was related to physical and psychological distress, sex and intimacy, and the partnered relationship among younger women. Only 1 intervention study found a significant improvement in body image after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest body image is a complex posttreatment concern for breast cancer survivors, particularly younger women. The findings of this review are limited by the high level of variation in the methods for assessing body image. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Further research of interventions to address body image concerns following treatment for breast cancer is warranted. Improvement of body image may improve the quality of life of younger breast cancer survivors.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Breast cancer treatments and associated side-effects can impair different areas of sexual function via mechanisms such as disrupting ovarian function, body image, intimacy and relationships.
“Breast cancer treatments and associated side-effects can impair different areas of sexual function via a myriad of mechanisms, such as disrupting ovarian function, body image, intimacy and relationships (Paterson et al., 2016; Seav et al., 2015).”
From A guided internet-delivered individually-tailored ACT-influenced cognitive behavioural intervention to improve psychosocial outcomes in breast cancer survivors (iNNOVBC): Study protocol (2019) · cites this paper as Paterson et al., 2016
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Aaronson, N. K., Ahmedzai, S., Bergman, B., Bullinger, M., Cull, A., Duez, N. J., Filiberti, A., Flechtner, H., Fleishman, S. B., Haes, J. C. J. M. D., et al. (1993) · JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute · doi:10.1093/jnci/85.5.365 · Cited by 16,005 · see citing works
Sprangers, M. A., Groenvold, M., Arraras, J. I., Franklin, J., te Velde, A., Muller, M., Franzini, L., Williams, A., de Haes, H. C., Hopwood, P., et al. (1996) · Journal of Clinical Oncology · doi:10.1200/jco.1996.14.10.2756 · Cited by 1,220 · see citing works
A body image scale for use with cancer patients
Hopwood, P., Fletcher, I., Lee, A., & Al Ghazal, S. (2001) · European Journal of Cancer · doi:10.1016/s0959-8049(00)00353-1 · Cited by 984 · see citing works
Body image and sexual problems in young women with breast cancer
Fobair, P., STEWART, S. L., Chang, S., D’Onofrio, C. N., Banks, P. J., & Bloom, J. R. (2005) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.991 · Cited by 888 · see citing works
Howard-Anderson, J., Ganz, P. A., Bower, J. E., & Stanton, A. L. (2012) · JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute · doi:10.1093/jnci/djr541 · Cited by 830 · cited 1× · see citing works
“n Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to synthesize evidence in the literature for body image in younger breast cancer survivors, a group particularly at risk for body image issues after treatment.(12,13,19,27) The terms ‘‘body image,’’ ‘‘sexuality intervention,’’ ‘‘women,’’ ‘‘younger women,…”
MethodAl-Ghazal, S. K., Fallowfield, L. J., & Blamey, R. W. (2000) · European Journal of Cancer · doi:10.1016/s0959-8049(00)00197-0 · Cited by 656 · see citing works
Quality of Life Among Younger Women With Breast Cancer
Avis, N. E., Crawford, S., & Manuel, J. (2005) · Journal of Clinical Oncology · doi:10.1200/jco.2005.05.130 · Cited by 529 · see citing works
Intimacy and relationship processes in couples' psychosocial adaptation to cancer
Manne, S. L., & Badr, H. (2008) · Cancer · doi:10.1002/cncr.23450 · Cited by 452 · see citing works
Duijts, S. F. A., Faber, M. M., Oldenburg, H. S. A., van Beurden, M., & Aaronson, N. K. (2011) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.1728 · Cited by 452 · see citing works
Psychosocial problems among younger women with breast cancer
Avis, N. E., Crawford, S. L., & Manuel, J. C. (2003) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.744 · Cited by 446 · see citing works
Sexuality after breast cancer: A review
Gilbert, E., Ussher, J. M., & Perz, J. (2010) · Maturitas · doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.03.027 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
Then and now: quality of life of young breast cancer survivors
Bloom, J. R., STEWART, S. L., Chang, S., & Banks, P. J. (2004) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.794 · Cited by 402 · see citing works
Psychiatric disorder in women with early stage and advanced breast cancer: a comparative analysis
Kissane, D. W., Grabsch, B., Love, A., Clarke, D. M., Bloch, S., & Smith, G. C. (2004) · Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/j.1440-1614.2004.01358.x · Cited by 337 · see citing works
Incidence of Breast Cancer With Distant Involvement Among Women in the United States, 1976 to 2009
Johnson, R. H., Chien, F., & Bleyer, A. (2013) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.2013.776 · Cited by 312 · see citing works
My changed body: breast cancer, body image, distress and self‐compassion
Przezdziecki, A., Sherman, K. A., Baillie, A., Taylor, A., Foley, E., & Bilinski, K. L. (2012) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.3230 · Cited by 311 · see citing works
King, M., Kenny, P., Shiell, A., Hall, J., & Boyages, J. (2004) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1023/a:1008936830764 · Cited by 283 · see citing works
Saji, H., Koike, M., Yamori, T., Saji, S., Seiki, M., Matsushima, K., & Toi, M. (2001) · Cancer · doi:10.1002/1097-0142(20010901)92:5 · Cited by 283 · see citing works
Sexual function after breast cancer
Panjari, M., Bell, R. J., & Davis, S. R. (2011) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02034.x · Cited by 234 · see citing works
Hopwood, P., Haviland, J., Mills, J., Sumo, G., & Bliss, J. M. (2007) · The Breast · doi:10.1016/j.breast.2006.11.003 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Speck, R. M., Gross, C. R., Hormes, J. M., Ahmed, R. L., Lytle, L. A., Hwang, W., & Schmitz, K. H. (2009) · Breast Cancer Research and Treatment · doi:10.1007/s10549-009-0550-7 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
Effects of breast cancer surgery and surgical side effects on body image over time
Collins, K. K., Liu, Y., Schootman, M., Aft, R., Yan, Y., Dean, G., Eilers, M., & Jeffe, D. B. (2010) · Breast Cancer Research and Treatment · doi:10.1007/s10549-010-1077-7 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
Impact of Body Image on Depression and Quality of Life Among Women with Breast Cancer
Begovic, A., Chmielewski, A., Iwuagwu, S., & Chapman, L. A. (2012) · Journal of Psychosocial Oncology · doi:10.1080/07347332.2012.684856 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
Janz, N. K., Mujahid, M. S., Lantz, P. M., Fagerlin, A., Salem, B., Morrow, M., Deapen, D., & Katz, S. J. (2005) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1007/s11136-005-0288-6 · Cited by 182 · see citing works
Body image in recently diagnosed young women with early breast cancer
Rosenberg, S. M., Tamimi, R. M., Gelber, S. I., Ruddy, K. J., Kereakoglow, S., Borges, V. F., Come, S. E., Schapira, L., Winer, E. P., & Partridge, A. H. (2012) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.3221 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
Development of a comprehensive quality of life measurement tool: CARES.
Ca, S., & Heinrich, R. L. (1990) · PubMed · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Racial and Body Image Differences in Coping for Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer.
Pikler, V. I., & Winterowd, C. (2003) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.22.6.632 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Moreira, H., & Canavarro, M. C. (2010) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2010.04.001 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
Sheppard, L. A., & Ely, S. (2008) · The Breast Journal · doi:10.1111/j.1524-4741.2007.00550.x · Cited by 148 · see citing works
A qualitative analysis of acute skin toxicity among breast cancer radiotherapy patients
Schnur, J. B., Ouellette, S. C., DiLorenzo, T. A., Green, S., & Montgomery, G. H. (2010) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.1734 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Individual and dyadic predictors of body image in women with breast cancer
Zimmermann, T., Scott, J. L., & Heinrichs, N. (2009) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.1660 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Biglia, N., Moggio, G., Peano, E., Sgandurra, P., Ponzone, R., Nappi, R. E., & Sismondi, P. (2010) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01725.x · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Kalaitzi, C., Papadopoulos, V. P., Michas, K., Vlasis, K. G., Skandalakis, P. N., & Filippou, D. K. (2007) · Journal of Surgical Oncology · doi:10.1002/jso.20811 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Quality of life and satisfaction after breast cancer operation
Han, J., Grothuesmann, D., Neises, M., Hille, U., & Hillemanns, P. (2009) · Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics · doi:10.1007/s00404-009-1302-y · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Rowland, J. H., Meyerowitz, B. E., Crespi, C. M., Leedham, B., Desmond, K. A., Belin, T. R., & Ganz, P. A. (2009) · Breast Cancer Research and Treatment · doi:10.1007/s10549-009-0398-x · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Jun, E.-Y., Kim, S., Chang, S.-B., Oh, K., Kang, H. S., & Kang, S. S. (2010) · Cancer Nursing · doi:10.1097/ncc.0b013e3181f1ab7a · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Anticipating an altered appearance: Women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer
Frith, H., Harcourt, D. M., & Fussell, A. (2007) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2007.03.002 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Oncological Factors: A Follow-Up Study of Breast Cancer Patients
Härtl, K., Schennach, R., Müller, M., Engel, J., Reinecker, H. S., Sommer, H. L., & Friese, K. (2010) · Psychosomatics · doi:10.1016/s0033-3182(10)70671-x · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Axelrod, D., Smith, J. A., Kornreich, D., Grinstead, E., Singh, B., Cangiarella, J. F., & Guth, A. A. (2008) · Journal of the American College of Surgeons · doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2007.12.026 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Perceived partner support and psychosexual adjustment to breast cancer
Kinsinger, S. W., Laurenceau, J., Carver, C. S., & Antoni, M. H. (2011) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2010.533771 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Kenny, P. M., King, M. T., Shiell, A., Seymour, J. F., Hall, J. P., Langlands, A. O., & Boyages, J. (2000) · The Breast · doi:10.1054/brst.1999.0111 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Aspects of body image after mastectomy due to breast cancer – A two-year follow-up study
Fallbjörk, U., Rasmussen, B. H., Karlsson, S., & Salander, P. (2012) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2012.09.002 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Moreira, H., Crespo, C., Paredes, T. F., Silva, S., Canavarro, M. C., & Dattilio, F. M. (2011) · Contemporary Family Therapy · doi:10.1007/s10591-011-9149-3 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Against all odds: Australian women’s experiences of recovery from breast cancer
Elmir, R., Jackson, D. W., Beale, B., et al. (2010) · Journal of Clinical Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03196.x · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Fingeret, M. C., Nipomnick, S., Crosby, M. A., & Reece, G. P. (2013) · Cancer Treatment Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2012.12.010 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Moreira, H., & Canavarro, M. C. (2013) · Journal of Psychosocial Oncology · doi:10.1080/07347332.2013.778934 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
How cancer survivors experience their changed body encountering others
Rasmussen, D. M., Hansen, H. P., & Elverdam, B. (2009) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2009.10.001 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Partner relationships after mastectomy in women not offered breast reconstruction
Andrzejczak, E., Markocka-Mączka, K., & Lewandowski, A. (2012) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.3197 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Benton, M. J., Schlairet, M. C., & Gibson, D. R. (2014) · Journal of Aging and Physical Activity · doi:10.1123/japa.2012-0227 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Therapy choices and quality of life in young breast cancer survivors: a short-term follow-up
Lee, M. C., Bhati, R. S., von Rottenthaler, E. E., Reagan, A., Karver, S. B., Reich, R. R., & Quinn, G. P. (2013) · The American Journal of Surgery · doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2013.08.003 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
An Intervention to Improve Communication Between Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Physicians
Shields, C. G., Ziner, K. W., Bourff, S. A., Schilling, K., Zhao, Q., Monahan, P. O., Sledge, G. W., & Champion, V. L. (2010) · Journal of Psychosocial Oncology · doi:10.1080/07347332.2010.516811 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Body image and sexual dysfunctions: comparison between breast cancer patients and healthy women
Bakht, S., & Najafi, S. (2010) · Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.314 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Breast Cancer Survivorship Program
Chung, L. K., Cimprich, B., Janz, N. K., & Mills-Wisneski, S. M. (2009) · Cancer Nursing · doi:10.1097/ncc.0b013e318196c67b · Cited by 35 · see citing works
The relationship between body image, age, and distress in women facing breast cancer surgery
Miller, S. J., Schnur, J. B., Weinberger-Litman, S. L., & Montgomery, G. H. (2013) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951513000321 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Gournay, E. D., Bonnetain, F., Tixier, H., Loustalot, C., Dabakuyo‐Yonli, T. S., & Cuisenier, J. (2010) · European Journal of Surgical Oncology · doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2010.04.008 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Befort, C. A., & Klemp, J. R. (2011) · Journal of Women s Health · doi:10.1089/jwh.2010.2308 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Mahapatro, F., & Parkar, S. (2005) · Indian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.4103/0019-5545.43051 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Lardi, A. M., Myrick, M. E., Haug, M. D., et al. (2012) · European Journal of Surgical Oncology · doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2012.08.010 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Bani, M. R., Beckmann, K., Engel, J., et al. (2008) · The Breast · doi:10.1016/j.breast.2008.05.004 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
A new milestone for Palliative & Supportive Care
BREITBART, W. S. (2016) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951516000018 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Breast cancer and menopause: perceptions of diagnosis, menopausal therapies and health behaviors
Sayakhot, P., Vincent, A., & Teede, H. (2012) · Climacteric · doi:10.3109/13697137.2011.603772 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Sexual problems in breast cancer survivors
Kingsberg, S. A. (2010) · Menopause The Journal of The North American Menopause Society · doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3181ef1980 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [3]Schindler P The image and the appearance of the human body Ney York International University Press 1935
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Persistent post-mastectomy pain: risk factors and current approaches to treatment
Tait, R. C., Zoberi, K., Ferguson, M., Levenhagen, K., Luebbert, R. A., Rowland, K., Salsich, G. B., & Herndon, C. (2018) · The Journal of Pain · doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2018.06.002 · Cited by 190 · see citing works
Sebri, V., Durosini, I., Triberti, S., & Pravettoni, G. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.611954 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Stress and coping in women with breast cancer:unravelling the mechanisms to improve resilience
Borgi, M., Collacchi, B., Ortona, E., & Cirulli, F. (2020) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.011 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Long-Term Effects of Breast Cancer Therapy and Care: Calm after the Storm?
Tommasi, C., Balsano, R., Corianò, M., Pellegrino, B., Saba, G., Bardanzellu, F., Denaro, N., Ramundo, M., Toma, I., Fusaro, A., et al. (2022) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm11237239 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Body Image Concerns in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Longitudinal Study
Henry, M., Albert, J. G., Frenkiel, S., Hier, M., Zeitouni, A., Kost, K., Mlynarek, A., Black, M., MacDonald, C., Richardson, K., et al. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.816587 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Life Satisfaction, Body Image and Associated Factors among Women with Breast Cancer after Mastectomy
Phoosuwan, N., & Lundberg, P. C. (2023) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.6106 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
An, J., Zhou, K., Li, M., & Li, X. (2022) · BMC Women's Health · doi:10.1186/s12905-022-01635-y · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Mendes-Santos, C., Weiderpass, E., Santana, R., & Andersson, G. (2019) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2019.01.004 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
- Authors
- Paterson, C. L., Lengacher, C. A., Donovan, K. A., Kip, K. E., & Tofthagen, C. S.
- Affiliations
- University of South Florida (US)
- Corresponding author
- Paterson, Carly L.
- Venue
- Cancer Nursing
- Published
- 2016-01
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- E39-E58
- ISSN
- 0162-220X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4607543
- OpenAlex
- W2332422143
- Cited by
- 285
- References
- 61
- Citations by year
- 2026: 21 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 1.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Cancer Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5f31nr013585-02)
- National Institute of Nursing Research (1F31NR013585, F31 NR013585)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Keywords
- body image, breast cancer survivors, young women, age-related outcomes, physical distress, psychological distress, intimacy, body image interventions, quality of life
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Body Image, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Survivors
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
