title: Quantitative assessment of appearance changes and related distress in cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined both the frequency of appearance-related symptoms and distress resulting from these symptoms in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-report questionnaires were distributed to 753 outpatients receiving ≧ 4 weeks of treatment at an outpatient chemotherapy center. Valid responses were returned by 638 patients (response rate, 84.7%). Participants were questioned about 57 appearance-related symptoms (AS) and 23 non-appearance-related physical symptoms (non-AS); psychological well-being was assessed using a shortened version of the Derriford Appearance Scale 59.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Questionnaire responses were obtained from 264 male and 374 female patients (mean age, 59.5 years; range, 18-85 years). Most respondents (80.3%) were concerned with changes in appearance resulting from treatment. By sex and disease type, women suffered more than men, and treatment for breast cancer created the greatest distress for women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cancer patients are concerned about a variety of AS, and these may result in greater distress than non-AS. AS-related information and care are increasingly being sought in advance of treatment.
authors: Yamano College of Aesthetics, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Keiko
authors: K
authors: Nozawa
authors: Chikako
authors: C
authors: Shimizu
authors: Minako
authors: M
authors: Kakimoto
authors: Yuri
authors: Y
authors: Mizota
authors: Seiichiro
authors: S
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Yumiko
authors: Y
authors: Takahashi
authors: Atsuko
authors: A
authors: Ito
authors: Hideko
authors: H
authors: Izumi
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: appearance changes; cancer; chemotherapy; psycho-oncology; psychological distress