Embracing Your Changing Body: Self-Esteem After Cancer

Body image and self-esteem concerns are common among cancer thrivers. The physical changes resulting from surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can deeply impact how you see yourself, regardless of the type of cancer you’ve faced. However, leading experts in psycho-oncology and body image research emphasize that healing your emotional health and your relationship with your body is an essential part of your recovery journey.

The Emotional Impact of Physical Changes

Dr. Anne Katz, a certified sexuality counselor and clinical nurse specialist at CancerCare Manitoba, explains, “Cancer treatment can significantly alter a person’s appearance and bodily functions. These changes, whether visible or not, can trigger a grief response and impact self-esteem.”

This emotional trauma can manifest in various ways, including:

– Feelings of loss or mourning for your pre-cancer body

– Anxiety about intimate relationships

– Decreased confidence in social situations

– Difficulty looking at yourself in the mirror

The Mind-Body Connection

Dr. Linda Carlson, a clinical psychologist specializing in psychosocial oncology at the University of Calgary, emphasizes the strong connection between emotional well-being and physical healing. “Negative body image can lead to increased stress, which may impact the body’s ability to heal and recover,” she notes.

Strategies for Rebuilding Self-Esteem

1. Practice Self-Compassion: Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in self-compassion research, suggests, “Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a good friend. Your body has been through a tremendous challenge, and it deserves your love and respect.”

2. Redefine Beauty: Challenge societal norms and redefine what beauty means to you. As Dr. Katz puts it, “Beauty is not just about appearance. It’s about strength, resilience, and the ability to love and be loved.” We couldn’t agree more!

3. Engage in Body-Positive Activities: Yoga, dance, or other physical activities can help you reconnect with your body in a positive way.

4. Find Community: Sharing experiences with others who have gone through similar changes can be incredibly validating and healing, regardless of the type of cancer you’ve experienced.

The Power of Emotional Healing and The Liber8 Program

Our emotional health is key to addressing a lifetime of stress and trauma as well as the current impacts of your cancer journey. Dr. Nasha Winters partnered with the incredible team at Liber8 who were designing their healing technology around the huge body of research showing the links between emotional health and physical health.

You can join one of these programs that helps you transform your emotional well-being in just 90 days!

Click Here to Learn more about their Breast Cancer Program Starting September 18th

Click Here to Go to the All Cancer Program starting September 30th

We cannot recommend them enough and we hear some incredible results coming from that community!

Embracing Your New Self

Remember, your worth is not defined by your physical appearance. Dr. Kelly Turner, author of “Radical Remission,” emphasizes, “True healing involves not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well. Embracing your changed body is a powerful act of self-love and an important step in your healing journey.”

As you navigate this challenging aspect of your cancer journey, be patient and kind to yourself. Your body has shown incredible strength and resilience. By nurturing a positive relationship with your changed body, you’re not just improving your self-esteem – you’re supporting your overall healing process.

You are more than your cancer, more than your scars, and your body tells the story of your incredible strength and perseverance.

Your MTIH family.