Body Image and Psychosocial Resources
Here are my favorite resources on body image and psychosocial oncology. These include some of my own publications as well as other seminal work in this area.
Body Image Care for Cancer Patients
This textbook on best practices and models of body image treatment covers issues at the forefront of clinical care for cancer survivors. It includes tools, resources, and case examples. Grab a copy today!
In the News
My program has been featured in a variety of online publications and videos. Check out these resources which include inspiring stories and practical tips for coping with body image issues resulting from cancer and its treatment.
Resources
Peruse trusted, reliable and frequently referenced books, journal articles, and websites related to body image and psychosocial oncology.
Note: Not responsible for the content, claims, or representations of the listed sites and sources.
Fingeret Body Image Program
Media & In the News
- Empower OTs: Opening the Conversation About Body Image, Interview with Michelle Fingeret, January 2025
- Empower OTs: Body Image Assessments, Interview with Michelle Fingeret, January 2025
- Iris Oncology: What This Body Image Expert Wants Everyone with Cancer to Know - Iris Oncology, 2023
- Cure Today: The Skin You’re In: Coping with Body Changes After Cancer, Winter 2017, 1(1)
- Cancer Today: Honor Your Body, Winter 2015-2016, 5(4)
- Houston Chronicle: Learning to Love Your Body After Cancer, Patients face extra body-image challenges and help men open up about touchy issue, 2015
- Oncology Nurse Advisor: A Partnership with Cosmetics Helps Rebuild Positive Body Images in Patients with Cancer, 2013
- Cancer Today Magazine: Reimagine Your Body, 2013
- Cancer Today Magazine: Facing the Critics: Robert Ebert finds peace with his appearance following disfiguring cancer surgery, 2012
- MD Anderson Cancer Center: Program addresses body image concerns, Annual Report, 2012
- Michigan Live: Overcoming Body Image Issues When the Person in the Mirror Has Cancer, 2011 (Updated 2019)
Videos & Podcasts
- Oncology on the Go, Beyond the Tumor: Addressing Body Image in Oncology, Michelle Fingeret, August 18, 2025
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Cancer and Your Body Image, 2017
- National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders Webinar: Gaining Greater Body Image Acceptance when Living with Dysphagia, Michelle Fingeret, 2016
- Cancer Support Community Radio Show: Cancer and Body Image, 2014
- MD Anderson Cancer Center: Patient Stories with the Body Image Therapy Program–Scroll down the page to find and click on Allison's, Brian's, Faye's, and Safiya's Journeys.
General Resources
Body Image Websites
- Changing Faces: Charitable organization that supports people who have a visible difference or disfigurement to lead the lives they want.
- Centre for Appearance Research: The world’s largest research group focusing on the role of appearance and body image in people’s lives.
- Center for Human Appearance: The most comprehensive, academically-based center dedicated to the research and education of appearance-related problems and quality of life.
- Thomas Cash, Ph.D: Thomas Cash, Ph.D., renowned for work in the study of the psychology of appearance. His website provides information on validated body image assessment tools, publications and research in the area of body image.
- Body Image–An International Journal of Research: An international, peer-reviewed journal that publishes high-quality scientific articles on body image and human physical appearance.
Body Image Books
- Body Image Care for Cancer Patients: Principles and Practices
By: Fingeret, M.C., & Teo I. (2018)
Learn more here
Buy the book: Oxford University Press or Amazon - Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment
By: Tylka T.L., Piran N. (2019) – New York, Oxford University Press. - Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance
By: Rumsey, N. and Harcourt, D. (2012) – Oxford University Press. More information here - Body image: A handbook of theory, research, & clinical practice.
By: Cash TF, Smolak L. (2011) – 2nd edition ed. New York: The Guilford Press. - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Body Image Disturbance
Pearson, A., Heffner, M., Follette, V. (2010) – A practitioner's guide to using mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based behavior change strategies. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. - The Body Image Workbook
By: Cash TF. (2008) – An eight-step program for learning to like your looks., 2nd ed. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications. - Psychological Aspects of Reconstructive and Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
By: Sarwer D.B, et al. (2006) – Clinical, empirical and ethical perspectives. Philadelphia, London, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Body Image Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Appearance-related needs and challenges among cancer patients undergoing systematic therapy: A Comprehensive survey study
By: Ono M., et al - International Journal of Clinical Oncology vol 30, no. 3, March 2025, pp. 469-479 - The mirror viewing experience of women undergoing mastectomy: An integrative review
By: Tyner, T., & Freysteinson W.M. Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol 79 no 6, June 2023, pp. 2081-2097 - A Negative Body Image among Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Survivors: Results from the Population-Based SURVAYA Study
By: Saris L.M., et al. Cancers, Vol 14, no 21, October 2022 - Body image among adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer: A scoping review
By: Vani M., et al. Psycho-Oncology, vol 30 no 8. August 2021, pp. 1278-1293 - A scoping review of measures used to assess body image in women with breast cancer
By: Brunet, J., & Price J. Psycho-Oncology vol 30 no. 5, May 2021 pp 669-680 - The Efficacy of Psychological Intervention on Body Image in Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
By: Sebri, V. Frontiers in Psychology, March 2021, vol 12, article 611954 - A systematic review of tools used to assess body image, masculinity, and self-esteem in men with prostate cancer
By: Bowie J., et al. Psycho-Oncology, vol 29 no 11, November 2020, pp. 1761-1771 - New Challenges in Psycho‐Oncology: An Embodied Approach to Body Image
By: Hopwood, Penelope, and Nick Hopwood. – Psycho-Oncology, vol. 28, no. 2, 29 Nov. 2018, pp. 211–218 - Body Image Disturbance in Adults Treated for Cancer - a Concept Analysis
By: Rhoten, Bethany A. – Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 72, no. 5, 8 Jan. 2016, pp. 1001–1011 - Body Image in Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review of Case-Control Studies
By: Lehmann, Vicky, et al. – Journal of Cancer Survivorship, vol. 9, no. 2, June 2015, pp. 339–348 - Managing Body Image Difficulties of Adult Cancer Patients: Lessons from Available Research
By: Fingeret, Michelle Cororve, et al. – Cancer, vol. 120, no. 5, 21 Nov. 2013, pp. 633–641 - Assessing the Body Image: Relevance, Application and Instruments for Oncological Settings
By: Annunziata, Maria Antonietta, et al. – Supportive Care in Cancer, vol. 20, no. 5, 12 Dec. 2011, pp. 901–907 - Enhancing Quality of Life in Medical Populations: A Vision for Body Image Assessment and Rehabilitation as Standards of Care
By: Pruzinsky, Thomas – Body Image, vol. 1, no. 1, Jan. 2004, pp. 71–81 - Body Image and Disfigurement: Issues and Interventions
By: Rumsey, Nichola, and Diana Harcourt. – Body Image, vol. 1, no. 1, Jan. 2004, pp. 83–97 - Body Image Dimensions and Cancer: A Heuristic Cognitive Behavioural Model
By: White, Craig A. – Psycho-Oncology, vol. 9, no. 3, 2000, pp. 183–192
Psychosocial Oncology Websites
- American Psychosocial Oncology Society
apos-society.org – The only multidisciplinary organization in the US dedicated to researching and treating the psychosocial aspects of cancer. - Association of Oncology Social Workers
aosw.org – International non-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of psychosocial services to people with cancer and their families. - Oncology Nursing Society
ons.org – A professional association committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of clinical care. - American Cancer Society
cancer.org – Cancer information, answers, and hope. Available every minute of every day. - American Society of Clinical Oncology
asco.org – A diverse network of oncology professionals dedicated to providing the highest quality resources in education, policy, the pioneering of clinical research, and above all, advancing the care of patients with cancer. - Association of Community Cancer Centers
accc-cancer.org – Leading education and advocacy organization for the cancer care community. - CancerCare
cancercare.org – The leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical, and financial challenges of cancer. - International Psycho-Oncology Society
ipos-society.org – Fosters international multidisciplinary communication about clinical, educational, and research issues that relate to the subspeciality of psycho-oncology. - Psycho-Oncology Journal
onlinelibrary.wiley.com - An international peer-reviewed journal that is concerned with the psychological, social, behavioral, and ethical aspects of cancer. - Cancer Support Community
cancersupportcommunity.org – Largest professionally-led network of cancer support worldwide, dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.
Psychosocial Oncology Books
- Psycho-Oncology
By: William S Breitbart et al. (2021) – 4th ed., Oxford; New York, Oxford University Press. - Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis
By: Levit, Laura A, et al. (2013) – Washington, D.C., National Academies Press. - MD Anderson Manual of Psychosocial Oncology
By: Duffy, James D, et al. (2011) – New York, Mcgraw-Hill Medical. - Cancer Care for the Whole Patient Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs
By: Adler, Nancy E, and Ann E K Page (2008) – Washington The National Academies Press.