'The reflections you get': an exploration of body image and cachexia.
BACKGROUND
cachexia has a detrimental effect on quality of life and is an indicator of poor prognosis. The meanings people attach to their lived experiences of cachexia are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
to explore the impact of cachexia on body image of people with advanced cancer, their emotions, relationships and social functioning.


METHODS
qualitative study using face-to-face in-depth interviews of a conversational style. Rich narrative data analysed by thematic content analysis.


METHODS
12 participants recruited from two community palliative care teams in south east England.


RESULTS
altered body image impacts on other aspects of embodiment: the emotions, spirituality, relationships and social functioning. Lives were restricted and isolated, which was compounded by emotional distancing by carers and health care professionals. Participants discussed their repeated attempts to re-adapt to disruptions of self caused by an altered body image.


CONCLUSIONS
the key study implications focus on the need for (i) improved holistic care and support, and advice; (ii) training and awareness raising of care professionals; (iii) further research on the lived experiences of the condition and the development of effective measures of cachexia.
Hinsley
Ros
R
Community Palliative Care Team at Harris Hospicare, Caritas House, Tregony Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9XA, UK. roshinsley@yahoo.co.uk
Hughes
Rhidian
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D002100:Cachexia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*