The Experience of Younger Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Involved in Dance/Movement Therapy with Regards to Body Image and Sexuality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Jean Pilarski
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Movement Therapy ◽  
Dance Movement Therapy ◽  
Dance Movement ◽  
Younger Women

Dance/Movement Therapy and Breast Cancer Care

2017 ◽  
pp. 882-902
Author(s):  
Ilene A. Serlin ◽  
Nancy Goldov ◽  
Erika Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Movement Therapy ◽  
Dance Movement Therapy ◽  
Dance Movement ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
Life Trajectory

Breast cancer causes the second highest mortality rate for any type of cancer. The illness, treatment, and side-effects can impact a woman’s identity, body image, and ability to function. Medical dance/movement therapy (MDMT) is a holistic therapeutic method uniquely suited to working with women with breast cancer. This chapter describes MDMT as an intervention that, through a safe and supportive environment that encourages creativity, can help develop psycho, social, and spiritual dimensions of women’s lives at a time when their life trajectory has been interrupted. It explores ways in which MDMT can enable women to rebuild their sense of self and their worlds. Arguments are put forward that create new meaning-making systems, confronting existential issues, and experiencing personal transformation through movement which can lead to enhanced wellbeing. A review of relevant literature is included to illustrate some key ideas of this work at individual, group, and ritual/community levels.

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