Pau Mateu, Clara Teixidor-Batlle, María-Pilar Suárez-Alcázar, Pablo Salas-Medina, Ignacio Catalá-Vilaplana, Carlos Hernando-Domingo, María Muriach, Eladio Collado-Boira
{"title":"A qualitative case study of body image in women with breast cancer participating in an exercise program.","authors":"Pau Mateu, Clara Teixidor-Batlle, María-Pilar Suárez-Alcázar, Pablo Salas-Medina, Ignacio Catalá-Vilaplana, Carlos Hernando-Domingo, María Muriach, Eladio Collado-Boira","doi":"10.1007/s00520-025-09963-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To analyze the body image perceptions of female breast cancer patients who took part in a physical exercise (PE) program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four discussion groups were held with 40 breast cancer patients participating in an exercise program. Hierarchical content analysis identified three central themes: (a) consequences of cancer, (b) coping, and (c) consequences of exercise.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Regarding cancer consequences, narratives linked to the others' perception and body stigma prevailed. Participants used mutual support and empowerment as their main coping strategies. The PE program was perceived as a promoter of physical (functional and aesthetic) and psychological benefits.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The participation of female breast cancer patients in PE programs contributes to greater physical, psychological, and social well-being. The analyzed PE program contributed, in general, to an improvement in body image with special emphasis on body function and in cognitive and affective dimensions.</p><p><strong>Implications for cancer survivors: </strong>PE programs can be a valuable intervention for breast cancer survivors, enhancing body image, quality of life, and emotional resilience during recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":22046,"journal":{"name":"Supportive Care in Cancer","volume":"33 10","pages":"893"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12488808/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Supportive Care in Cancer","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09963-z","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: To analyze the body image perceptions of female breast cancer patients who took part in a physical exercise (PE) program.
Methods: Four discussion groups were held with 40 breast cancer patients participating in an exercise program. Hierarchical content analysis identified three central themes: (a) consequences of cancer, (b) coping, and (c) consequences of exercise.
Results: Regarding cancer consequences, narratives linked to the others' perception and body stigma prevailed. Participants used mutual support and empowerment as their main coping strategies. The PE program was perceived as a promoter of physical (functional and aesthetic) and psychological benefits.
Conclusions: The participation of female breast cancer patients in PE programs contributes to greater physical, psychological, and social well-being. The analyzed PE program contributed, in general, to an improvement in body image with special emphasis on body function and in cognitive and affective dimensions.
Implications for cancer survivors: PE programs can be a valuable intervention for breast cancer survivors, enhancing body image, quality of life, and emotional resilience during recovery.
期刊介绍:
Supportive Care in Cancer provides members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and all other interested individuals, groups and institutions with the most recent scientific and social information on all aspects of supportive care in cancer patients. It covers primarily medical, technical and surgical topics concerning supportive therapy and care which may supplement or substitute basic cancer treatment at all stages of the disease.
Nursing, rehabilitative, psychosocial and spiritual issues of support are also included.