Negotiating Age, Identity, and Body Image: The Lived Experiences of Mastectomy Patients across Adulthood and Later Life Phases in Pakistan
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women globally, with mastectomy profoundly altering women’s body image, identity, and social relationships. In Pakistan, where cultural ideals of femininity are closely tied to physical appearance, the psychological and social impacts of mastectomy are often exacerbated. Despite global advancements in breast cancer research, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these experiences are shaped by age, particularly in non-Western sociocultural contexts. This study explores how women across different life stages—adulthood (40-60 years) and later life (61+ years)—negotiate changes in body image and identity post-mastectomy within Pakistan’s unique sociocultural landscape.
Employing qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with 30 women from hospitals and cancer support groups in Punjab, this study critically examines the intersection of age, identity, and body image. The findings reveal that societal norms around aging and femininity intensify the emotional and social challenges post-mastectomy. For midlife women, identity renegotiation is influenced by life transitions in family and work, while older women face compounded pressures of aging and a perceived loss of visibility and femininity. This research highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive, age-specific support systems in post-mastectomy care.
This study’s contribution lies in its intersectional approach to understanding chronic illness, age, and gender within a non-Western context, offering both theoretical and practical insights. By filling a critical gap in the literature, it fosters a dialogue on developing age-appropriate interventions for breast cancer survivors, making it highly relevant for a global audience concerned with health, aging, and gender studies.