Cultural Considerations in Body Image and Cancer

Author(s):  
Kristina Harper ◽  
Hanne Konradsen

Abstract: This chapter discusses the Western cultural perspective of the body ideal and how cultural norms may influence the body image experiences of patients with cancer. The chapter begins with an overview of the sociocultural standards of appearance embraced in Western society, including the body-ideal shift throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, and how this specifically relates to physical changes that can co-occur with cancer, followed by a broader look at additional facets of Western culture (e.g., consumerism, surgical enhancement, media) that may shape the body image experience and ultimately treatment decisions of cancer patients. Specific research findings are discussed primarily in relation to body image in breast cancer with brief discussion of other cancers that impact one’s appearance. Finally, current interventions for working within the Western cultural framework are discussed, as well as clinical considerations for health care providers working with patients on body image issues in the oncology setting.

Author(s):  
Geok Ling Lee ◽  
Irene Teo

Abstract: This chapter discusses the Asian cultural perspective based on Confucian concepts and how they can influence the body image experiences of patients with cancer. The chapter begins with a brief description of key Confucian concepts, such as relationship dominance, relational self, and self-cultivation. The connection between these concepts and the body image experience of patients with cancer is discussed, with illustrative examples. This is followed by a review of the research findings on body image in psycho-oncology studies conducted in Asia. Although limited, there are studies that examine body image changes in breast, gynecologic, head and neck, as well as gastrointestinal cancers. Clinical considerations are offered for health care providers who are interested in working with Asian patients with body image issues in an oncology setting. In conclusion, more efforts are needed to examine body image and cultural-specific themes in the context of oncology in Asia.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherilyn N. McLester ◽  
Robin Hardin ◽  
Stephanie Hoppe

Context: Research has suggested that the prevalence of young women with eating disorders (EDs) is increasing, but determining the exact prevalence of EDs within the female student–athlete (FS-A) population is difficult. Looking at certain traits may help us to identify their level of susceptibility to developing an ED. Objective: To determine the susceptibility of FS-As to EDs in relation to self-concept, including self-esteem and body image. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Athletic training and health centers at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, and III institutions via e-mail questionnaire correspondence. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 439 FS-As from 17 participating institutions completed the questionnaires. The sample was primarily white (83.1%) and underclass (61.8%). Main Outcome Measure(s): The questionnaire consisted of 4 parts: 3 subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Body Cathexis Scale, and demographic items. Results: A total of 6.8% of FS-As were susceptible to anorexia and 1.8% were susceptible to bulimia. The majority of FS-As (61%) reported normal self-esteem levels, whereas 29.4% had high self-esteem. Overall, 64.5% were satisfied and 23% were very satisfied with their body image. Conclusions: These results are generally positive in that they suggest FS-As have high levels of self-concept and are at low risk to develop EDs. However, these findings do not mean that all concerns should be dismissed. Although more than 90% of the respondents were not susceptible to an ED, there are still FS-As who may be. Athletic departments should evaluate their FS-As' levels of self-concept so that their susceptibility to EDs can be addressed. The emotional aspect of health care should be included in providing holistic care for student–athletes. Athletic trainers often are the primary health care providers for FS-As, so they should be made aware of this concern.


CAND Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-13
Author(s):  
Shakila Mohmand ◽  
Sumar Chams

Cultural competency within health care helps eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. When assessing and treating patients with chronic pain, practitioners should feel confident in using information regarding a patient’s individual cultural beliefs due to their significant impact on the pain experience. Culture impacts perception, outlook, and communication of pain, as well as coping mechanisms. These are aspects of subjective history that influence important decisions regarding the management of chronic pain. Becoming more aware of what to look for and which questions to ask can allow naturopathic doctors and other health-care providers to continue improving therapeutic relationships and patient outcomes.


Author(s):  
Kate McBride ◽  
Catharine Fleming ◽  
Emma George ◽  
Genevieve Steiner ◽  
Freya MacMillan

Obesity in Australia is rising rapidly, and is a major public health concern. Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer and worsens associated outcomes, yet breast screening participation rates in Australia are suboptimal and can be lower in higher risk, obese women. This study qualitatively explored barriers to breast screening participation in obese women in Australia. In-depth interviews (n = 29), were conducted with obese women (body mass index ≥ 30) and key health providers. A disconnect between providers’ and women’s perceptions was found. For women, low knowledge around a heightened need to screen existed, they also reported limited desire to prioritize personal health needs, reluctance to screen due to poor body image and prior negative mammographic experiences due to issues with weight. Providers perceived few issues in screening obese women beyond equipment limitations, and health and safety issues. Overall, weight was a taboo topic among our interviewees, indicating that a lack of discourse around this issue may be putting obese women at increased risk of breast cancer morbidity and mortality. Consideration of breast screening policy in obese women is warranted. Targeted health promotion on increased breast cancer risk in obese women is required as is a need to address body image issues and encourage screening participation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Hafna Ilmy Muhalla

Introduction: Indonesia is ranked 4th in the world for the number of diabetics according to WHO, and most of diabetics experience complications, one of which is ulcer diabetikum. This can be a trigger for the emergence of body image disorders from diabetics, so researchers need to know the picture of ulcus sufferers' body image to later be mapped and make it easier in subsequent handling. The research objective is to describe the image of body image in patients with diabetes mellitus with ulcus complications. Physical changes in the body can affect body image and self-esteem Methods: Design of this study used a descriptive research design, the population in this study were all patients who have diabetes mellitus with ulcus diabeticum in Ibnu Sina Hospital Gresik regency with a sample of 20 respondents, samples were taken by using purposive sampling technique. Data collection using questionnaires with 15 multiple choices question. Furthermore, the data were analyzed with coding, scoring, tabulating presentatif, and described. Results: The results showed a total of 20 respondents obtained ii'om 5 respondents (25%) have a good body image, 7 respondents (35%) had a poor body image and 8 respondents (40%) who did not have a good body image.  Conclusion: Based on the results of this study indicate that in patients with diabetes mellitus who are already experiencing complications of ulcus diabetic almost half of respondents do not have a good body image, and a small proportion of respondents have a good body image. This is due to several factors, namely the respondents admitted that the wounds on his legs is a sign of personal failure on him therefore to improve body image and the changing assessment of the physical condition and provide social support.


Author(s):  
Yasmin Qureshi ◽  
Eric Shamus

Purpose: To investigate whether there is a way to wear a unilateral strap shoulder bag that will allow more symmetrical postural alignment, preventing potentially harmful musculoskeletal effects. Subjects: Sixty-five college student volunteers.Methods: Each participant donned a unilateral strap shoulder bag two different ways on the dominant and non-dominant shoulder while standing on a Postural Scale Analyzer to measure lower extremity weight distribution. Results: A significant improvement (p < 0.05) in lower extremity weight distribution was found in right hand dominant subjects (n = 63) when wearing a shoulder bag draped across the left shoulder to right hip. Discussion: When individuals who are right hand dominant wear a shoulder bag draped across the left shoulder (non-dominant shoulder), the weight distribution through the person’s lower extremities becomes more equal indicating improved postural symmetry in static standing.Conclusion: It is possible that individual prescription of a unilateral bag on the non-dominant shoulder draped across the body can be utilized to create a reduction in postural asymmetry demonstrated by more evenly distributed lower extremity loading. Recommendations: Health care providers, parents, students, and educators should be educated to carry an across-the-body unilateral strap shoulder bag that reduces postural asymmetry and the risk of future development of biomechanical problems and back pain in adulthood.


Author(s):  
Lindsey Eberman ◽  
Zachary Winkelmann ◽  
Emma Nye ◽  
Daniel Walen ◽  
Kelcey Granger ◽  
...  

Context: Previous research indicates athletic trainers have a favorable view of treating transgender patients, yet do not feel competent in their patient care knowledge or abilities. Objective: To gain more depth of information about athletic trainers' knowledge and experiences regarding the health care needs of transgender student-athletes. Design: Sequential, explanatory mixed methods. Setting: Individual, semi-structured follow-up interviews. Participants: Fifteen athletic trainers who previously took part in a cross-sectional survey in April 2018 (male=8, female=7, age=24±2, years of experience=3±3). Main Outcome Measure(s): The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Member checking was completed to ensure trustworthiness of the data. Next, the data were analyzed using a multi-phased process and a 3-member coding team following the consensual qualitative research tradition. The coding team analyzed the transcripts for domains and categories. The final consensus codebook and coded transcripts were audited by a member of the research team for credibility. Results: Four main domains were identified: 1) perceived deficiencies, 2) misconceptions, 3) concerns, and 4) creating safety. Participants described knowledge deficiencies in themselves, health care providers within their unit, and providers able to provide safe transition care. Participants demonstrated misconceptions when characterizing the definitions of transgender and transitioning and when describing how the body responds to hormone replacement therapy. Participants expressed concern for the mental health and wellness, self-image of transgender student-athletes, and potential cost of transgender health care. However, participants also described efforts to create safety within their unit by validation, instilling trust, adjusting the physical environment, and by engaging in professional development to improve their knowledge. Conclusions: Athletic trainers want to create a safe space for transgender student-athletes but lack the necessary knowledge to treat transgender patients. Professional resources to improve athletic trainer knowledge, skills, and abilities in caring for transgender patients are a continued need. Key Points


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 238212052091327
Author(s):  
Pierre Cardinal ◽  
Glenn Barton ◽  
Kirk DesRosier ◽  
Sharon Yamashita ◽  
Angèle Landriault ◽  
...  

Purpose: This article shares our experience developing an integrated curriculum for the ACES (Acute Critical Event Simulation) program. The purpose of the ACES program is to ensure that health care providers develop proficiency in the early management of critically ill patients. The program includes multiple different types of educational interventions (mostly simulation-based) and targets both specialty and family physicians practicing in tertiary and community hospitals. Methods: To facilitate integration between different educational interventions, we developed a knowledge repository consisting of cognitive sequence maps that make explicit the flow of cognitive activities carried out by experts facing different situations - the sequence maps then serving as the foundation upon which multimodal simulation scenarios would be built. To encourage participation of experts, we produced this repository as a peer-reviewed ebook. Five national organizations collaborated with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to identify and recruit expert authors and reviewers. Foundational chapters, centered on goals/interventions, were first developed to comprehensively address most tasks conducted in the early management of a critically ill patient. Tasks from the foundational chapters were then used to complete the curriculum with situations. The curriculum development consisted of two-phases each followed by a peer-review process. In the first phase, focus groups using web-conferencing were conducted to map clinical practice approaches and in the second, authors completed the body of the chapter (e.g., introduction, definition, concepts, etc.) then provided a more detailed description of each task linked to supporting evidence. Results: Sixty-seven authors and thirty-five peer reviewers from various backgrounds (physicians, pharmacists, nurses, respiratory therapists) were recruited. On average, there were 32 tasks and 15 situations per chapter. The average number of focus group meetings needed to develop a map (one map per chapter) was 6.7 (SD ± 3.6). We found that the method greatly facilitated integration between different chapters especially for situations which are not limited to a single goal or intervention. For example, almost half of the tasks of the Hypercapnic Ventilatory Failure chapter map were borrowed from other maps with some modifications, which significantly reduced the authors’ workload and enhanced content integration. This chapter was also linked to 6 other chapters. Conclusions: To facilitate curriculum integration, we have developed a knowledge repository consisting of cognitive maps which organize time-sensitive tasks in the proper sequence; the repository serving as the foundation upon which other educational interventions are then built. While this methodology is demanding, authors welcomed the challenge given the scholarly value of their work, thus creating an interprofessional network of educators across Canada.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
Phillip Joy ◽  
James Iain Neith

Body image issues for gay men can shape their overall health and wellbeing. The intent of this article is to explore the personal and creative process in translating research findings to art. The article first presents a brief overview of the research that explored how social and cultural norms constitute the beliefs, values, and practices of gay men concerning their eating, body image, and health. The research findings are translated through an art piece that is disruptive to the dominant ways of knowing about the body ideals set before gay men. An art piece that is, therefore, by definition queer art. The findings, and hence, the art are interpreted through the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland - a poststructural piece of literature. The article describes the considerations and processes used to create the art, including the central character, the colors, and the the symbolism of its various components.  Implications of queer art to dietetic practice are discussed.     


2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
J Birns ◽  
L Kalra

Vascular cognitive impairment (V.C.I.) encompasses all forms of cognitive loss associated with cerebrovascular disease and ischaemic brain injury. It includes cognitive impairment related to stroke, cortical and subcortical infarcts, silent infarcts and strategic infarcts, white matter lesions associated with small vessel disease, and specific arteriopathies such as CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leucoencephalopathy). Recent studies have demonstrated that VCI is most commonly of a subcortical aetiology with small vessel disease being the major cause. VCI plays an important part in patients with other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, who have coexisting vascular lesions and it has been proposed that VCI may be the most common form of cognitive impairment in older people, with a prevalence of 5% in people over the age of 65. In view of the aging population and the growing magnitude of vascular disease in western society, the prevalence of subcortical VCI is likely to increase, with a greater impact on patients and health care providers. In this article, we will review the cerebrovascular pathology underlying subcortical VCI and its role in mediating the characteristic cognitive deficits.


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