title: Body image dissatisfaction in cancer survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore medical and psychosocial factors associated with body image dissatisfaction in male and female cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary data analysis from the American Cancer Society's Study of Cancer Survivors-II pilot survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cancer survivors were identified through two state cancer registry databases.
  
  
  METHODS
  165 male and 234 female cancer survivors of six cancer types (bladder, female breast, colorectal, endometrial, prostate, and melanoma) who were 2, 5, and 10 years beyond diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Researchers notified physicians prior to participant recruitment. State cancer registries contacted potential participants via mailed letters. Participants who gave their informed consent completed a written survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Current body image dissatisfaction, mental and physical health, sexual functioning, and basic medical and demographic information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that male survivors of prostate cancer were more likely to express positive body images than men who had other types of cancer. A composite variable that included a history of cancer recurrence, multiple cancers, or metastatic cancer was the strongest predictor of body image dissatisfaction for female survivors. Body image was not associated with age, length of time since diagnosis, or general treatment type for either gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Body image was associated with various medical and psychosocial factors, and the factors differed for male and female cancer survivors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An understanding of factors associated with body image is essential for the nursing care of patients with cancer.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. defrank@email.unc.edu
authors.forename: Jessica T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: DeFrank
authors.forename: C Christina Bahn
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D017678:Sex Distribution; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology