Body image and awareness in patients with advanced-stage melanoma

G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Aug;151(4):327-31. Epub 2015 Jan 16.

Abstract

Background: Body image (BI) is a very important aspect to be taken care of, especially in cancer patients.

Methods: We administered the Body Image Scales, with a specifically created semi-structured questionnaire which includes items that investigate the level of awareness and the degree of acceptance of the disease of the patient, was administered to patients giving their written informed consent to participate to the study.

Results: The results show that our population sample got an average score of 17.25 showing precisely problems related to body image.

Conclusions: An adequate psychological support is crucial, as it has been widely demonstrated that body-image-related issues have a negative impact on patients' quality of life, especially in the oncology field. Such support has the aim of dealing with those aspects which can compromise the patients' equilibrium and quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Attitude to Health
  • Body Image*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / psychology*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Social Support
  • Surveys and Questionnaires