Nurse aims to help patients' body image

A SCOTTISH nurse is helping cancer patients cope with the changes to their bodies as they battle the disease.

Caroline Hood, who led the Macmillan Body Image and Cancer project, has written a booklet for patients to help them deal with the effects of treatment on their appearance.

She has also developed a programme designed to help healthcare professionals learn more about the issues patients face and how they can help.

The project was supported by a 65,500 grant from Macmillan Cancer Support, in partnership with NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Ms Hood, who is based at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, said: "Cancer can change the way an individual thinks and feels about their body and themselves.

"We know changes experienced can have a huge impact on an individual's life, but often these concerns are not disclosed.

"This can be because they feel that they should simply be thankful for surviving a cancer diagnosis or worry about appearing vain."

Macmillan said that for some people, cancer and its treatment could have a major impact.

Procedures such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy could change the way someone looked, how their body worked or how they felt.