Fashion as and Aid to the Body Image of Women with Breast Cancer

Women with breast cancer have to endure consequences on their body image mainly due to treatments, which, in turn, point out the disease, making it social. Thus, this research suggests that fashion can be an aid to this group’s body image and, because of that, had as its main objective to analyze how clothing and fashion elements can serve as an aid to women with cancer. This study is applied research, qualitative in regard to the problem and exploratory in relation to the objectives. Bibliographical and documentary research were carried out, in addition to data collection through semi-structured interviews with women with breast cancer and with specialists working in this environment. Using the data obtained through this study, it was possible to observe the difficulties experienced by the patients and how the disease and treatments affect identity and interfere with self-esteem. It was also identified how fashion is present in this context, serving as an aid to the sick women, thus reducing the physical, emotional and social consequences and allowing identity, self-esteem and body image rebuilding.