Body image after breast cancer.

Let's show ourselves some love

Body image after breast cancer is a deeply personal and often painful subject. Learning to love your body again may seem like an impossible task right now. I get that. For me personally, it has taken a lot of time and work to get to a place where I can look at my scars and my breasts and accept them as a part of me and not something to fight against. When I first saw my 'new' breasts after my mastectomy, I was shocked, my body felt like a stranger to me. I didn’t feel connected to it. 

Can you relate? If you can, you are not alone.

As a certified life coach specialising in supporting women after breast cancer treatment, I can tell you a lot of the women I coach struggle with this. The woman you see looking back at you from the mirror may look quite different to the one before cancer. And as this was not a decision you deliberately made, it can leave you feeling angry, upset or in denial. And that is perfectly human and understandable.

But I am here to tell you, that with time and oodles of self-compassion, I have absolutely reached a place of acceptance of my body after breast cancer. And not only that, I have come to have pride about the changes and what they represent. Cancer came for me but I did what I could to save my life and my body tells that tale. But this acceptance did not happen overnight. It was a process. And that process should be undertaken with as much love and kindness for yourself as possible. 

You are still you. You are not just a body; you are a whole, beautiful, strong woman who has faced the unimaginable and survived. And while your body may look different, it is still deserving of love, respect, and admiration.

Why Body Image is a Struggle After Breast Cancer

A lot of what women seem to get praised for in our society when we talk about femininity is linked to our appearance; our breasts, smooth skin, our hair. All the things that treatment for breast cancer can potentially change or take away all together. No wonder many women struggle with self-identity, self-worth, and even intimacy after breast cancer.

Have you experienced any of these common challenges?

1. Physical Changes – Mastectomy, lumpectomy, reconstruction, weight fluctuations, hair loss, scars, and skin changes can all impact how you see yourself.

2. Emotional & Psychological Impact – The grief of losing a part of your body, fear of judgment, or feeling disconnected from your new body can take a toll on your confidence.

3. Sexuality & Relationships – Concerns about desirability, intimacy, and how a partner will react can create emotional barriers.

4. Comparison & Social Pressures – Seeing social media images of ‘perfect’ bodies can make it harder to accept your own uniqueness.

   
   

While these struggles are real, they do not define you. As a breast cancer coach, I support women in shifting their perspective, reframing negative thoughts, and rebuilding confidence. So let’s start with some powerful coaching questions you can ask yourself.

Three Powerful Coaching Questions to Shift Your Body Image

1. What if I saw my body through the eyes of love instead of criticism?

We are often our own harshest critics, focusing on what we’ve lost instead of honouring what remains. Try flipping the lens—what would someone who loves you say about your body? What if you spoke to yourself the way you’d speak to your best friend?

2. How has my body supported me through this journey?

Your body has carried you through diagnosis, treatment, and healing. Instead of resenting it, can you acknowledge its strength? What would it be like to say, “Thank you, body, for holding me through this”? Gratitude shifts how we see things.

3. Who am I beyond my body?

You are not just your reflection in the mirror. You are your laughter, your resilience, your wisdom, your kindness. If your worth was never tied to your appearance, what would you allow yourself to feel about your body?

More Journal Prompts

Two Coaching Tools to Cultivate a More Positive Body Image

How did it feel to answer those questions? It may worth spending some time journaling on this. When you are ready, I have added below two coaching exercises to help you work on accepting your body now.

1. The Mirror Work Exercise

This tool, inspired by Louise Hay’s mirror work, helps rewire negative self-talk into self-acceptance and love. I know it can feel a bit silly if you haven't tried anything like this before but why not give it a go, what have you got to lose! Here’s how to do it:

• Stand in front of a mirror and make eye contact with yourself.

• Place your hands over your heart and take a deep breath.

• Say aloud, “I see you. I love you. You are enough.”

• If this feels difficult, start with neutral statements like, “This is me” or “I am learning to accept my body.”

• Do this daily, even if it feels awkward at first. Over time, you’ll notice a shift in how you speak to yourself.

  
  

2. Reclaiming Your Body Through Gentle Touch & Movement

After cancer treatment, it’s common to feel disconnected from your body. You basically handed your body over to Dr's and when it was handed back it was different. And not in a way you would have ever chosen for yourself. This can leave us feeling powerless and out of control. Rebuilding a positive relationship with our bodies after breast cancer involves reintroducing touch and movement in ways that feel safe, gentle and empowering:

• Self-Massage with lotion: Instead of avoiding the areas that have changed, gently massage lotion into your skin with care. Speak kind words to yourself as you do, avoiding any criticism.

• Mindful Movement: It can feel at times as if our minds and our bodies are 2 different entities after going through treatment. How can we improve the mind body connection so we feel more whole? Why not try somatic or yin yoga, stretching, or even dance, focusing on how your body moves rather than how it looks. Appreciate what your body can do.

• Clothing Experimentation: I know clothes can look very different on us after our bodies change. So why not have a bit of fun with it and experiment with new clothes, specifically clothes that make you feel good—whether that means embracing soft, comfortable fabrics or trying something bold that expresses your personality. Consider trying on prosthetics or getting fitted for a post-mastectomy bra, if that feels right for you. This can help create a more balanced, symmetrical appearance.

  
  

Embracing the New You After Breast Cancer

Healing your body image is a journey, not a destination. Some days will be easier than others, and that’s okay. What matters is that you continue to show up for yourself with kindness and compassion.

Remember:

• You are not alone. Many women feel the same and support is available.

• Beauty is not defined by society—it’s defined by you.

• Your body has been through a lot, and it deserves appreciation, not criticism.

• Confidence isn’t about looking a certain way; it’s about how you feel in your skin.

  
  

I want you to know that you can love and accept your body again. Not despite what you’ve been through, but because of it. You are so much more than your reflection. I’d love to hear from you—what’s one small step you can take today to be kinder to yourself? Drop a comment or reach out—I’m here for you.

Need More Support?

If you are looking for support in moving forward after breast cancer, I invite you to book a free chat with me. Together, we can work through the emotional challenges and help you rebuild your confidence and self-worth.

Join my private Facebook support group for breast cancer survivors and connect with a community of women who understand what you’re going through. You are never alone on this journey. Or subscribe to my newsletter for regular tips, tricks and resources on how to move forward after breast cancer.