Abstract CN55
Background
The exploration of body image in colorectal cancer (CRC) is predominantly focused on the diagnosis and treatment phases of survivorship, focused on the negative impact of ostomy. There is limited understanding of the factors influencing body image among people living beyond CRC. This study aims to identify factors associated with poorer body image among people with CRC up to five years after diagnosis.
Methods
CRC survivors between 6 and 60 months after diagnosis took part in a questionnaire (n=304) to identify difficulties with survivorship issues including body image. Participants completed the Functional Assessment of Therapy–Colorectal (FACT-C) questionnaire and Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken to identify associations between participants’ perceptions of body image and demographic, health and survivorship issues.
Results
Two hundred and six participants reported body image concerns (69.8%). Demographic (age, gender), psychosocial survivorship issues (difficulty enjoying life, fear of recurrence, anxiety or depression, access to support from family/friends) and physical survivorship issues (bowel dysfunction, fatigue, sleep disturbance) were independently associated with poorer body image perception. Multivariate analysis revealed that female gender (OR: 2.6), being unable to enjoy life (OR: 2.9), fear of recurrence (OR: 5.3), not having access to support from friends (OR: 4.6) and having difficulties with digesting food (OR: 2.3) were independent risk factors for poorer body image among CRC survivors.
Conclusions
While the outward physical consequences of cancer and its treatment are often cited as important implications for body image among people living with and beyond cancer, this study highlights that psychosocial issues are associated with a greater likelihood of reporting poorer body image among CRC survivors. The results of this study can support the development of complex interventions which address the multi-factorial concerns of cancer survivorship which are associated with body image concerns among CRC survivors in the post-treatment period.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
University College Dublin.
Funding
Health Research Board, Ireland.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.