Body Image in Breast Cancer Survivors; A Systematic Scientific Review

Background: Female breasts have not only physical and functional value but also have psychological bearing and are symbolic of womanhood. In breast cancer survivors, own body image may change due to physical and psychological reasons, worsening women?s living. Objective: The purpose of this review is to synthesize the current state of the science for body image in women with breast cancer. Methods: Combinations of the terms ??body image perception" ??sexuality intervention?? ??women?? ??breast cancer?? were searched in the PubMed and CINAHL through January 2012- 2022. Inclusion criteria for this review were (1) original research, (2) published in English from the year 2012 onwards (3) measuring body image as an outcome variable. Results: The majority of studies were cross-sectional, with extensive variation in body image assessment tools. Breast cancer survivors who undergo more extensive surgery have worse body image, compared with women undergoing less extensive surgery. Poorer body image was related to physical and psychological distress, sex and intimacy, and the partnered relationship among younger women. Conclusions: Findings suggest body image is a complex posttreatment concern for breast cancer survivors. The findings of this review are limited by the high level of variation in the methods for assessing body image.