Your body image issues might be heightened by your cancer experience.

• It is completely normal for you to feel anxious about the changes to your body during or after treatment.

• It is completely normal if you feel a little self-conscious about changes to your physical appearance during or after treatment.

• The main thing to remember is that no matter what physical changes your body has gone through, you are still the same person.

Some emotions you may experience as a result of changes in your appearance because of cancer treatment:

• Anxiety

• Lack of confidence

• Depression

• Anger

• Uncertainty

• Tiredness

• Irritability

Relationships with friends

• If you are worried about your appearance you may feel shy or withdrawn from others and not feel like socialising. Some people may feel embarrassed about the way they look and worry that their friends may think differently about them. 

• Talking to your friends about how you feel can be a good way to push past these thoughts and let them know you’d appreciate their support during this time.

• For more information on relationships with friends when you have cancer, visit our relationships with friends when you have cancer fact sheet. 

Romantic Relationships

• If you have a partner, talking to them about how you are feeling about the changes to your body is a good way to let them know you need their support.

• Being open and honest about how you feel may also make them feel less awkward and they will be able to support you better.

• For more information on romantic relationships when you have cancer, visit our romantic relationships when you have cancer fact sheet. 

Future Relationships

• You may feel less attractive or worried you won’t get a girlfriend or boyfriend. 

• By working on building up your confidence and restoring your body image, these worries should lessen over time.

For a list of strategies to help improve your body image, go to our Dealing with changes to your body fact sheet.