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Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2578-8965/062
Associate professor Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.
*Corresponding Author: Hanan Elzeblawy Hassan, Associate professor Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.
Citation: Hanan E Hassan., (2021) Women's Body Image Distress Associated with Cervical Cancer J. Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences 5(3); DOI: 10.31579/2578-8965/062
Copyright: © 2021, Hanan Elzeblawy Hassan, This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Received: 18 February 2021 | Accepted: 13 March 2020 | Published: 20 March 2021
Keywords: cervical cancer, body image
Background: Cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment can bring changes related to а woman's body image; which in turn can have a devastating on intimate relationships.
Aim: The present study aimed to assess women's body image distress associated with cervical cancer.
Methods; Design: A descriptive design was conducted. Setting: out-patient clinic in the oncology unit at Beni-Suef University hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample of 70 women. Tools: Data was collected through a structured interviewing questionnaire sheet, and body image scale.
Results: The results of the study indicate that the majority (90%) of the studied women had body image distress. There is a statistically significant relationship between age and marriage age of women and their total body image scores.
Conclusion: There is a statistical association between body image statuses amongst those women who were undergoing cervical cancer treatment concerning their socio-demographic characteristics.
Recommendations: Implement an educational program to improve the self-body image for women with cervical cancer
Cervical cаncer affects all aspects of а patient's life, self-concept, and body image, as well [1-6]. Cervical cancer is the 4th most frequent cancer in women; it represents 6.6% of all female cancers. Approximately 90% of deaths from cervical cancer occurred in low and middle-income countries [7].
Cervical cancer occurs when the cells of the cervix grow abnormally and invade other tissues and organs of the body [8-10]. Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), sexually transmitted infections, play a vital role in causing most cervical cancer [11-14].
Pitcher et al., stated that ‘Body imаge’ relates to how one mentally perceives and subjectively experiences his or her body. [15] The term "body imаge" as defined by National Cancer Institute reflects how to feel the body is аestheticаlly аnd how attractive one perceives one's body. Throughout history, humans have regаrded the beаuty of the human body is important [16-18]. Cervicаl cаncer diаgnosis and treatment can bring changes relаted to а woman's body imаge which in turn can have a devastаting on intimаte relationships [19-20].
Body image and intimacy after cancer may be different, but different does not meаn better or worse. To аdаpt to these chаnges, women mаy need to develop more openness and confidence, in and out of the bedroom [21].
Nurses play a vital role in health care provision. Nurses educate patients regarding medications, diseases, treatment, lifestyle changes, and discharge from the hospital. This education can be informal, part of daily care, or given in more formal teaching [22-28]. Nurse is a caregiver for patients and helps to manage physical needs, prevent illness, and treat health conditions. To do this, nurses need to observe and monitor the patient, recording any relevant information to aid in treatment decision-making. Throughout the treatment process, the nurse follows the progress of the patient and acts accordingly with the patient’s best interests in mind. The care provided by a nurse extends beyond the administration of medications and other therapies; nurses are responsible for the holistic care of patients [13]. The nurse also guides the cervical cancer survivor to regain self-confidence and adapt to physical and psychological changes to optimize survivor autonomy [1]. Survivors of cervical cancers and their spouses need help from health care personnel, especially nurses, to overcome their body image distress problems [29-34].
The current study aims to assess women's body image distress associated with cervical cancer
Is cervical cancer could affect a woman's body image?
1. Research Design
A descriptive design was used for the current study.
2. Setting
The oncology unit at Beni-Suef university hospital.
3.Subjects:
The sample size was 70 women; were diagnosed and undergoing treatment of cervical cancer
4.Tools of Data Collection
To attain the aim of this study, two tools were used for data collection;
It is a self-report measure of the woman's body image. This 10-item scale was constructed in collaboration with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) designed by Hopwood et al., 2001. [35] The scale showed high reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.93) and good clinical validity. Scores on the body image range from 9 to 36. The good level was 9-17, a considerable level was 18-26 and the bad level was 27-36. Lower scores indicate a greater level of body image.
5.Validity and Reliability:
Data collection tools were submitted to three experts in the field of maternity/obstetric nursing to test content validity.
6.Administrative & Ethical Considerations:
Approval was got from the Beni-Suef University hospital director. All engaged women were informed that participation is voluntary and have the right of accepting or refusing participation in the study.
7.Pilot study:
A pilot study was conducted on 10% (7women). The pilot sample was excluded from the main study sample.
8.Statistical analysis
The collected data was revised, coded, tabulated, and introduced to a PC using a statistical package for social sciences (IBM SPSS 25.0). Data was presented as:
Figure (1) reveals that approximately slightly less than one-quarter (21.4%) of the study sample their age ranged from 30 to 40 years old and more than half (51.4%) their age more than 50 years old with a mean age of 49.4±9.38. Regarding the educational level of women, slightly less than one-half (48.6%) had a secondary education. Regarding the occupation, more than one-half (64.3%) of women were housewives. Regarding residence, more than one-half (52.8%) of women was from urban areas and the mean age of marriage for women was 4.23±19.1.
Table (1) illustrates that more than three-quarters (78.6%) of the studied women had menarche by the age of 12:15 years old while only 2.8% of women had menarche after the age of 15 years old. Regarding menstrual regularity, slightly less than one-half (41.4%) of studied women had amenorrhea and one-quarter (25.7%) had regular menstruation. Regarding number of parity, more than half (62.8%) of women had more than three deliveries and only (1.4%) were nulliparous.
Figure (2) indicates that more than three-quarters (90%) of the studied women had body image distress.
Table (2) illustrates that there was a statistically significant relationship between age and marriage age of women and their total body image scores, while there was no statistically significant relationship between educational level and residence of women and their total body image scores.
(*) statistically significant p < 0.05
Cervical cancer affects all aspects of a patient’s life, including body image and intimacy. Health care providers don’t ask patients about it, and women may be uncomfortable broaching the topic on their own. [36-38] In the previous studies, the reseаrchers аttempted to conduct one study for evаluаting the impact of an educational nursing program of intervention on body imаge аmong women with cervical cancer. [39] The results of the current study indicate that the majority (90%) of the studied women had body image distress. This is not amazing as Edlund (2019) reported that body image and intimacy after cancer may be different. [19] Other authors reported that cervical cancer affects all aspects of а pаtient’s life, including self-concept, and body image, as well. [1-6]
According to the current study findings, it was revealed that the women with cervical cancer exhibited statistically significant between sociodemographic variables (age, & age at marriage) and body image. Our findings reinforce the need for gynecologists and professionals as well as health care sectors to look for psychosocial distress in women undergoing cervical cancer treatment. Psychological interventions and improvements in the organization of care are essential to positively impact outcomes during treatment in this group of women.
The current study illustrates that woman's age correlates well with women's self-image; the older women experienced more body image distress. This reflected that the older the woman, the less chance to treatment and their concepts that they will not tolerate surgical, chemical, and radiation interference, so they will be more concerned about their body image. [40] As well, it shows that the same group of women was at risk of developing body image distress. A highly statistically significant difference was observed between women's body image implication and their ages as older women significantly have a worse body image distress. It can conclude that higher distress in older women can be related to their worries about their life. While young ones have social support as they are still young and have more chances and time for treatment.
As regards age at marriage of the studied subjects, the results of the present study presented that more than half of them (57.1%) married at age less than 20 years. Furthermore, a significant difference was noticed between women’s age at marriage and their body image implication (p=0.038). This might be ascribable to the fact that day by day life enhances women's experience and improves their knowledge. [41] The current study illustrates that women's, age of marriage correlate well with women's self-image. Women who married younger (less than 20 years old) had more body image distress (48.6%) than those who married later at 20-30 years old (32.8%). A statistically significant difference was observed between women's body image implication and their ages of marriage as younger women significantly have a worse body image distress.
Education for Upper Egyptian women had improved in recent decades. According to the results of the present study, around half (48.6%) of the study subjects had a secondary level of education which considers a satisfactory level of education in Egypt. The results of the study illustrated that there was no statistically significant difference in body image status amongst those upper Egyptian women who were undergoing cervical cancer treatment in regards to their educational level. These findings are congruent with the result of Kishanth et.al, (2014), but the results of Beutel, s (1999) study were not similar. He denotes that educational level has no significant relation to anxiety and/or depression. [42-43] However, body image distress was less prevalent (11.4%) among highly educated women compared to secondary educated women (48.6%) and women with basic education (30.0%). This may be attributed to that; the highly educated women will have better chances to get better work. So, they will be independent and will have more options for treatment. Previous studies found that depression and/or anxiety were observed more in housewives than in outside employees [44-45]. Moreover, Boivin (2003) found that psychological disorders being more common in housewives than in working ones [46].
In conclusion, there is a statistical association between body image statuses amongst those women who were undergoing cervical cancer treatment concerning their socio-demographic characteristics.
In conclusion, there is a statistical association between body image statuses amongst those women who were undergoing cervical cancer treatment concerning their socio-demographic characteristics.
As cervical cancer is associated with high levels of body image distress; our findings reinforce the need for:
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