Breast Cancer Survivors’ Perspectives on Exercise and Body Image: Qualitative Findings for Patient-Centered Care

This descriptive qualitative study explores breast cancer survivors' lived experiences with exercise and body image following diagnosis and treatment. Ten women, aged 48 to 80, participated in individual Zoom interviews, sharing personal reflections on how breast cancer impacted their perception of their bodies and overall appearance. Through reflexive thematic analysis, three key themes emerged: exercise as a means of physical rehabilitation, emotional coping, and social connection. Participants commonly described walking and other forms of movement as helpful in improving both their physical well-being and self-image. Notably, many survivors reported feeling unprepared for the visible changes to their bodies, expressing shock and emotional distress when confronting these transformations. The study highlights the importance of incorporating anticipatory guidance and supportive interventions into survivorship care, particularly around appearance-related concerns. These insights underscore the value of patient-centered approaches that recognize exercise as a multidimensional tool for healing and adaptation, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life among breast cancer survivors.