Changed Body Image as Perceived by Jordanian Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Treatment

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. The purpose of this study wasto generate an understanding of women’s perceptions of changes to their body image due to breast cancer treatment.Method: A phenomenological qualitative approach was taken and semi-structured interviews conducted with 20women who underwent breast cancer treatment at a public hospital in Jordan. Results: Data were analyzed followingColaizzi’s methodology, yielding a core theme (“Broken things cannot be repaired”) and four subthemes: changesin physical wellbeing (“my body fall apart”), changes in emotional wellbeing (“broken heart”), changes in socialwellbeing (“broken future”), and coping strategies (“repairing what has been broken”). Religion and family supportwere major factors helping the women cope with their condition. Conclusion: Nurses and other healthcare providersneed to be aware of body image changes of women with breast cancer to initiate timely, and culturally sensitive nursingintervention and support. Therefore, nurses should support patients in finding their own sources of strength to facilitatetheir healing process.