Anticipating an altered appearance: Women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer

Harcourt, Diana; Frith, Hannah; Fussell, Anna

Abstract

Chemotherapy treatment for cancer can have a profound impact on appearance, and is often experienced as distressing. Few qualitative studies explore experiences of chemotherapy, and seldom focus on the process of anticipation and preparation for an altered appearance. We report findings from an interview study of 19 women which explored their expectations of chemotherapy-induced hair loss, their anticipated reactions to hair loss and how women intend to prepare for an altered appearance. The results demonstrate that women are active in anticipating hair loss and adopt a range of different strategies to manage their alopecia-even before it has occurred. Four key themes were identified: (a) anticipating hair loss, (b) coming to terms with the inevitability of hair loss, (c) becoming ready, and (d) taking control. We argue that this can be seen as a form of anticipatory coping, which involves affective and behavioural rehearsal so that women can feel more in control of their experience of the side effects of chemotherapy treatment for cancer. We suggest seeing these activities as a form of anticipatory coping, and understanding the psychological reasons why women engage in these activities, may help nursing professionals to better support women through this often traumatic time. © 2007.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2007
• Journal: European Journal of Oncology Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1462-3889
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 385-391
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2007.03.002
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1027986
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2007.03.002
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This journal article is published online on the journal website. This qualitative study revealed anticipatory coping leading to women feeling more in control prior to chemotherapy. It illustrates how an understanding of women's anticipatory activities can help nurses support women by sharing coping strategies.