Cancer treatment changes the relationship a survivor has with their body. Surgical scars, hair loss, changes in sensitivity, discomfort or pain, and ongoing side effects can be overwhelming and emotional to experience. Feelings of loss, disconnect, anger, and shame are normal to have but can be uncomfortable or complicated to navigate. We discuss the path forward to healing and reclaiming the important relationship with your body post-diagnosis in this presentation.

1. Healing
the
relationshi
p with
your body
Julie Larson, LCSW
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

2. The Body and the Person
with Cancer
Difficulty Connecting with the Body
Body Avoidance
Body Has Let Me Down
Bodily Mistrust Because of Cancer
Fear of Listening to Body
Feeling Anger Towards the Body
Longing for Old Body
Worry of Slowing Down and Being With Body
Julie Larson, LCSW –

3. Body Changes
cancer survivors
might experience
• Temporary or permanent hair loss
• Weight gain or loss
• Scars
• Loss of limbs, breast or other organs
• Changes in sexual abilities
• Infertility or Menopause
• Swelling
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

4. me… what
exactly is body
image?
• Body image is what you believe
about your appearance or how
you feel about your body.
• Body image can be influenced
by:
• How we look or think we look.
• How we feel about ourselves.
beli
eve
fe
el
thi
nk
fee
l fee
l
thi
nk
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

5. Self Care and
balance
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

6. That discomfort
you’re feeling is
grief
• Denial
• “I don’t like to think what upsets me about my body, so
I avoid it, push it out of my head””
• Anger
• ”This sucks and it isn’t fair! I feel annoyed and irritated
when I see others who are healthy.”
• Bargaining
• “When I lose 15lbs I will feel like myself again.”
• Sadness
• “I feel sad and lost and worried I will never feel ok”
• Acceptance Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

7. Greif takes
time
Cancer changes you. Give
yourself time to understand
yourself and your world now.
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

8. Managing the
Mind (body & Heart)
•Paying attention with
purpose.
•What are you doing that is
helpful and unhelpful
•Going to the Mental Gym
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

9. Work in your
HEAD
(Thinking)
• Are there more truths?
• Can you write a different
narrative for the story in
your head?
• Refocus attention. Allow
the anxiety to hang out in
the background.
• Practice self-compassion.
Watch the language you
use to talk to yourself. Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

10. Watching
your
Relationship
• Can you catch your
Thought Traps!?
• Comparing?
Catastrophizing? All or
Nothing? Shoulds?
Fortune Telling?
• Criticism breeds hurt
and helplessness
Julie Larson, LCSW – www.julielarsonlcsw.com

11. be.
(Emotional
)
Thought challenging is
healthy and effective.
BUT….
• Your “Worry Voice” will
always try to ensnare you
into a debate.
• Expelling a thought or
trying to debate a worry
into submission may not
work long term. Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

12. Be.
(Emotional
)
• Fear and worry many not
completely go away.
• Name it & Claim it.
• Take the hit of a feeling,
greet the “visitor”
• Naming a feeling gives
you a little distance from
the feeling so you can
respond (not react)
• Building tolerance for
uncomfortable feelings
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

13. Strategy #3:
Control. Alt.
Delete.
Find an anchor
outside of your
feeling.
• Get outside
• A creative project:
cooking, building,
writing.
• Physical activity
• Connecting with others Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

14. Strategy
#4: Move
Your Body
• Helps to complete the
stress cycle
• Train for YOUR life –
Functional Fitness
• Carrying laundry
upstairs
• Picking up a child
• Standing on your feet
• Walking the dog
• Fuel your tank – hydrate,
protein, good sleep, Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

15. know this
changed
physical self
1. Set an intention of
curiosity and care
2. Give yourself time, space
and permission to feel
whatever comes up for
you.
3. Remind yourself a feeling
is simply a feeling and
there are no right/wrong
or good/bad feelings
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com

16. Be Gentle With
Yourself
• Remember your feelings will likely change
from day to day.
• Listen closely and work to learn more about
you response.
• Ignoring needs and dismissing hard feelings
can intensify distress.
• Talking with others can help you work
through your uncertainties in a natural way.
Julie Larson, LCSW –
www.julielarsonlcsw.com