Redefining identity when appearance is altered.
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.
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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