EFFECTS OF BELLY DANCING ON BODY IMAGE AND SELF-ESTEEM IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER - PILOT STUDY

Introduction: Breast cancer has innumerable consequences in women's lives and physical activity can be beneficial during this period. Objectives: To analyze the influence of belly dancing on the body image and self-esteem of women during and after breast cancer treatment. Methods: Nineteen women diagnosed with breast cancer, divided into a control group (8 women) and a study group (11 women), who were under treatment or post-treatment at the Center for Oncological Research (CEPON), participated in the study. A questionnaire was used for data collection, divided into three blocks as follows: a) general information - sociodemographic and clinical characterization; b) body image - Body Image After Breast Cancer; and c) self-esteem - Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The study group underwent a belly dance intervention consisting of 60-minute classes, twice a week, for a total period of 12 weeks. Women in the control group only maintained their routine activities. Results: Significant changes were observed in the improvement of body image in the belly dance group in the pre- and post-intervention periods in the body stigma (p = 0.017) and transparency (p = 0.021) scales. There were no changes in regards to self-esteem. The control group had no changes in either body image or self-esteem. Conclusion: The influence of belly dancing on the improvement of women's body image was observed after 12 weeks of intervention. Thus, it is understood that physical activity may help these women after breast cancer, and should be encouraged by health professionals in this field.