title: Redefining identity when appearance is altered.
abstract: Alteration in appearance, impacting on identity, can occur when cancer or other chronic illness strikes. Patients and families need assistance in coping with changes and redefining a sense of self during treatment and beyond. This article examines some common effects of therapy and disease on appearance and outlines a nursing plan of care to assist the patient in regaining acceptance in the outer world.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erdos
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001828:Body Image; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012933:Social Identification