Medical Oncologist
Sex and relationships
Body image during chemotherapy
Hair loss, weight changes, skin and nail changes, scars, a port or a stoma can make your body feel unfamiliar during chemotherapy. Feeling less attractive, self-conscious or disconnected from your body is common and understandable. Many changes are temporary, and practical steps, support and honest conversation help people feel more like themselves again.
NG
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh GunduConsultant Medical Oncologist · MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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The short answer
Why can chemotherapy change how you feel about your body?
Treatment can change your appearance quickly and in several ways at once. Hair on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes and body may thin or fall out. Weight may drop from nausea and poor appetite, or rise from steroids and less activity. Skin can become dry, darker, spotty or sensitive, and nails may discolour or lift. Surgery can leave scars or change the shape of the breast or body, and a port, central line or stoma may be visible. On top of this, tiredness and illness can make you feel unlike yourself even when little has changed on the outside.
It is very common to feel self-conscious, less attractive, embarrassed in public, or disconnected from your body during treatment. Some people avoid mirrors, social events or intimacy. Others feel guilty for caring about appearance when the focus should be on the cancer. These feelings are normal, and they deserve attention. Many changes, such as hair loss, skin and nail changes and weight shifts, improve after treatment. For lasting changes like scars, support, time and practical steps help people come to terms with them. You do not have to simply put up with feeling bad about your body.
It affects men and women
Men often feel it strongly too, especially with hair loss, weight change and loss of strength, but talk about it less.
Partners often see you differently than you fear
Many partners say the changes matter far less to them than to the person going through treatment.
Low mood makes it harder
Depression and anxiety intensify body worries. Treating them helps.
If worries about your appearance are stopping you going out, seeing people or being close to your partner, tell your team and ask about counselling.Common changes
What changes, and whether it recovers
- Hair loss
- Common with many treatments. Hair usually starts to grow back after treatment ends, sometimes with a different texture or colour at first.
- Weight changes
- Loss from nausea and appetite changes, or gain from steroids and hormone treatments. Often improves with time, diet and activity.
- Skin and nails
- Dryness, darkening, rashes and nail changes are common and usually fade after treatment.
- Scars and surgery
- Scars fade and soften over months. Breast reconstruction or prostheses are options after breast surgery.
- Ports, lines and stomas
- Ports and lines are removed when no longer needed. Stoma nurses help people adapt to a stoma.
- Puffiness from steroids
- A rounder face and fluid retention usually settle after steroids are reduced or stopped.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistPractical
What can help you feel more like yourself
Choose what feels right for you.
Head coverings and wigs
Scarves, caps, dupattas, turbans and wigs let you choose how you look. Some people prefer to go bare-headed; that is fine too.
Tips
- Soft cotton for sensitive scalps
- Choose a wig before hair falls
Gentle skin care
Fragrance-free moisturisers, sun protection and mild soaps keep skin comfortable and healthier-looking.
Clothes that feel good
Soft, comfortable clothing that fits your body now, and covers ports or scars if you prefer, can boost confidence.
Consider
- Front-opening tops for port access
- Loose waistbands with a stoma
Small routines
Dressing, grooming or light make-up on good days can help you feel more like yourself, if that matters to you.
Talk to others
Support groups and people who have been through treatment often share practical ideas and reassurance.
!
Get help promptly for any of these
Feeling so low about your appearance that you avoid all contact with others · feeling hopeless or worthless most days · thoughts of harming yourself or that life is not worth living · refusing to eat because of worry about weight · wanting to stop cancer treatment because of appearance changes. Talk to your team the same day, and if you are thinking of harming yourself, go to the nearest emergency department or contact emergency services.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you exactly which changes you will have or how long they will last. That depends on your treatment, surgery and body. Your team can tell you what to expect.
It also cannot tell you how you should feel. Some people mind appearance changes a great deal, others very little. Both are valid, and support should match what matters to you.
Scalp cooling
With some treatments, cooling caps may reduce hair loss. Ask whether this is available and suitable.
Eyebrows and eyelashes
Their loss changes facial expression more than people expect. Brow pencils and glasses can help.
Breast prostheses and reconstruction
After breast surgery, prostheses and reconstruction are options. Ask your team when to discuss them.
Children and teenagers
Young people may worry greatly about school and friends. Help them prepare what to say and how to look.
Culture and community
In some communities, hair loss or scars attract questions or stigma. Deciding in advance what you want to share can help.
Intimacy and body image
Worry about appearance often reduces desire. Talking with your partner and going slowly help.
Weight and steroids
Weight gain from steroids is not a failure of willpower. Ask a dietitian for realistic advice.
Photographs and mirrors
Some people find it helps to look at themselves gradually, rather than avoiding mirrors altogether.
Counselling is effective
A counsellor or psycho-oncologist can help with body image, confidence and anxiety.
Returning to social life
The first outing to a function, office or place of worship after visible changes can feel daunting. Some people find it helps to go with a trusted friend, prepare a simple sentence to answer questions, and leave early if they feel tired. Each outing usually feels a little easier than the last.
Being gentle with yourself
Many people criticise their changed body far more harshly than they would judge anyone else. Try noticing what your body is doing for you during treatment, such as recovering between cycles, rather than only how it looks.
Help from other professionals
Dietitians, physiotherapists, stoma nurses, breast care nurses and wig or prosthesis fitters all have practical skills that help people feel more comfortable and confident. Ask your team who is available.
Photographs and memories
Some people avoid photographs during treatment. Others find they value them later as a record of strength.
What to do next
Ask your team what appearance changes to expect, choose practical steps that help you feel like yourself, talk openly with your partner and family, connect with others who have been through treatment, and ask for counselling if body worries affect your mood or daily life.
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Commonly believed
Four beliefs about body image during treatment
"Caring about appearance during cancer is vain."
How you feel about your body affects mood, confidence and relationships. It is a valid concern.
"My partner will not find me attractive anymore."
Many partners care far more about your wellbeing than appearance changes. Talking helps.
"These changes are all permanent."
Hair, skin, nail and weight changes usually improve after treatment.
"Only women worry about body image."
Men are often affected too, especially by hair loss and loss of strength.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about body image
How does treatment change how you feel about your body?
Hair loss, weight change, skin changes, scars and ports can make your body feel unfamiliar and affect confidence, mood and intimacy.
What helps with body image?
Head coverings or wigs, gentle skin care, comfortable clothes, small routines, support groups and counselling.
Does it recover?
Many changes improve after treatment. For lasting changes, time, support and practical options help people adjust.
When will my hair grow back?
Usually it begins to grow back after treatment ends, sometimes with a different texture at first.
How do I talk to my partner about it?
Share what you feel self-conscious about and what reassurance helps. Partners are often relieved to talk.
Can I wear make-up during chemotherapy?
Usually yes. Choose gentle, fragrance-free products and replace old eye make-up to reduce infection risk.
Is scalp cooling available?
It may be, for some treatments. Ask your team whether it suits your treatment.
When should I get help?
If body worries affect your mood, relationships or daily life, ask your team about counselling.
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MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
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Sources
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Body image and cancer
- American Cancer Society — Sex and the Woman With Cancer
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Sex and relationships
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
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