Dance therapy experiences of women who have experienced breast cancer: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Breast cancer affects women in a part of the very significant body. In our society the breasts refer to femininity, sensuality, sexuality and motherhood. There are also singular ways that every woman attaches to your body, which is reflected in the way she sees and perceives others to see. When a disease like breast cancer becomes part of a woman's life, the whole set of meanings that constitute your identity may be compromised. New perceptions and experiences of their corporeality and ways of being in the world, can cause great mental suffering, alongside physical harm to women with cancer. Given the repercussions of a serious chronic disease like cancer in the lives of their carriers, they should receive a comprehensive health care, including psychosocial and existential aspects that can assist in promoting or redemption of their quality of life or survival. Among the resources that can help women to recover integration and wellbeing experiences is the dance therapy. Research has shown the importance of dance for therapeutic purposes, in the rescue and expansion of body awareness and the promotion of new sensations and body images. Accordingly, it is intended, in this study, identify, describe and analyze through the phenomenological method of research, possible changes in body experience and interpersonal and social relations of women with breast cancer, perceived as related to its holdings in twelve dance therapy meetings. (AU)