Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
03:07
Single-Port Robotic-assisted Transaxillary Breast-conserving Surgery: A Prospective, Single-arm, Non-randomized Phase IIa Clinical Trial
Published on: August 19, 2025
1.5K
Body image screening for cancer patients undergoing reconstructive surgery
Michelle Cororve Fingeret1, Summer Nipomnick, Michele Guindani
1Department of Behavioral Science, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Psycho-Oncology
|July 29, 2014
Summary
A new screening tool effectively identifies cancer patients experiencing body image distress after reconstructive surgery. Early screening can help connect patients with vital psychosocial support for appearance concerns.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychosocial Care
- Surgical Reconstruction
Background:
- Body image concerns are prevalent and distressing for cancer patients undergoing reconstructive surgery.
- Patients often hesitate to discuss appearance-related issues with healthcare providers.
- Disfigurement and functional impairment can lead to significant psychosocial difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a screening tool for identifying cancer patients with body image concerns.
- To aid healthcare providers in referring patients for specialized psychosocial care.
- To address the unmet needs of patients struggling with appearance changes post-reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Development of a brief, four-item screening instrument.
- Administration of the tool to cancer patients undergoing reconstructive treatment.
- Use of regression models to assess predictors of interest and enrollment in counseling.
Main Results:
- Over 95% of patients reported concerns related to appearance changes.
- Approximately one-third of patients expressed interest in counseling or information.
- All survey items predicted interest and enrollment; concern about future changes was the strongest predictor.
- Demographic and clinical factors (sex, age, cancer type) did not predict counseling interest.
Conclusions:
- The Body Image Screener for Cancer Reconstruction shows initial promise for clinical use.
- Screening is beneficial for patients undergoing reconstructive surgery.
- Early identification and treatment of body image distress are recommended for this patient population.
