Hide and Seek: Body Image-Related Issues for Breast Cancer Survivors with Lymphedema

Hide and Seek: Body Image-Related Issues for Breast Cancer Survivors with Lymphedema

Although previous studies of breast cancer survivors with lymphedema have examined body image, none have examined body image as a multidimensional experience within this population. The purpose of this paper is to present focus group findings related to body image in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. Focus groups were conducted at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded line-by-line using ATLAS.ti software by three independent reviewers. Initial coding was clustered into categories representing broader categories of similar codes.