Women with breast cancer can often experience concerns about how their body looks after surgery to remove one or both breasts. Changes in physical appearance can be very distressing, and can negatively impact a person’s mental health, relationship with others, and general well-being. There is little research on how some of these concerns can be addressed before a patient has surgery.
This study aims to develop and test an online group program providing education and therapy, before they have surgery, to help women with breast cancer cope with concerns about how their body will change. The study will take place in two phases to: 1) collaborate with patients and providers to develop the online program; and 2) test whether it is feasible to offer this new program to women with breast cancer while they are waiting for their surgery. To test feasibility, the researchers will look at participants’ degree of interest, attendance and satisfaction with the program.
By providing support for women with breast cancer before surgery, the researchers hope to help women cope with the body changes they experience and prevent further stress during the cancer journey. The information that is gathered from this project will be used for a larger future study to test whether this program leads to improved well-being among women who have surgery for breast cancer.
