Body Image Discomfort of Adolescent and Young Adult Hematologic Cancer Survivors

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2017 Jun;6(2):377-380. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2016.0067. Epub 2017 Jan 23.

Abstract

This study focuses on body image discomfort (BID) of 50 adolescent and young adult (AYA) hematologic cancer survivors (age range 15-23; 52% males). The study results were obtained through data from a self-report questionnaire: the Body Uneasiness Test. Findings differed according to gender: a greater proportion of females were in the Risk category of impaired body image than males (χ2 = 5.258, p < 0.05). No significant body image differences were found according to the type of diagnosis or to the length of survival. To manage survivors' BIDs and to improve their quality of life, assessing BID in AYA cancer survivors is important for identifying those who might be in need of additional supportive care or a program.

Keywords: biopsychosocial approach; body image; quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorders / psychology*
  • Body Image / psychology*
  • Cancer Survivors / psychology*
  • Female
  • Hematologic Neoplasms*
  • Hodgkin Disease
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
  • Quality of Life*
  • Young Adult