title: My Changed Body: Background, development and acceptability of a self-compassion based writing activity for female survivors of breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess consumer and health professional user acceptability of a web-based self-compassion writing activity to minimize psychological distress related to the negative impact of breast cancer on body image.
  
  
  METHODS
  "My Changed Body" is a web-based writing activity that combines expressive writing with a self-compassionate approach that focuses on cancer-related adverse body image alterations. Breast cancer survivors (n=15) and health professionals (n=20) provided feedback via a survey regarding the appearance, organization and content of the website and writing activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both breast cancer survivors and health professionals rated the website highly in terms of design, layout and content. Participants commented positively on the website's clear wording, appealing design and ease of navigation. Suggestions for improving the website included simplifying the instructions for the writing activity and allowing participants' writing to be saved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from both breast cancer survivors and health professionals suggest a moderate to high level of user acceptability and positive ratings for the overall impression of the website.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-compassion based writing interventions can be translated to a web-based self-administered activity for body image difficulties after breast cancer treatment in a format that is acceptable to consumers and health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Przezdziecki
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alcorso
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: kerry.sherman@mq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kerry A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014956:Writing
keywords: Breast cancer; Internet; Intervention; Lymphoedema; Self-compassion