Body image disorders based on cancer types

Abstract

Body image is one of the problems can arise in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has side effects such as hair loss, wrinkled skin, fatigue, bleeding gums, nausea and vomiting and other physical symptoms that can interfere with daily activities. Perception about body image on each type of cancer will be different, therefore this study aimed to describe the body image of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This study was a quantitative descriptive study. The variable was body image of cancer patients. The sampling technique used purposive sampling with a total of 131 samples consisting of patients with colon cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia, breast cancer and cervical cancer. Body image has been measured by “Behavioral and Psychological Factors Predicting Body Satisfaction” which contained 20 body image statement items. The research was conducted in September 2021-January 2022 at Dr. Kariadi General Hospital Semarang. Data analysis was carried out using frequency distribution and cross tabs with the results of a negative body image of 49.6% of cancer patients and a positive body image of 50.4% of cancer patients.