title: Changes in the body image of bone sarcoma survivors following surgical treatment--A qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Among several long-term effects, people treated for cancer may experience an altered appearance. Our study aims to identify how visible body changes following surgical treatment affect the life and identity of primary bone sarcoma survivors 3-10 years after diagnosis. A qualitative, phenomenological, and hermeneutic design was applied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sarcoma survivors (n = 18) who were previously treated at Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, participated in the study. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main finding of this study concerned how altered appearance after bone cancer treatment in the hip/pelvis or lower extremities affected the participants' self-esteem. Half of the participants expressed concerns about their visible differences, particularly those with functional impairment. They felt that it is important to hide the bodily signs of changes to appear as normal as possible, as well as attractive and healthy. They describe, with specific examples, how these changes influence their self-realization, especially their social life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare providers who guide bone sarcoma survivors during follow-up should develop a comprehensive understanding of what it means to cope with a changed and challenging body.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fauske
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Care Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Geir
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lorem
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ellen K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Grov
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bondevik
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: body image; bone sarcoma; cancer survivors; late effects; qualitative methods