Cancer and its treatment transform both the body and the relationship that patients have with themselves.
Hair loss, scarring and the physical changes caused by treatment can have a profound effect on body image and self-confidence. However, there are ways of restoring body image and managing the side-effects of both treatment and the disease, notably through dance.
The impact of cancer on body image
Cancer treatments, whether surgical, chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic, leave visible and invisible marks.
Scars, hair loss, loss of muscle mass and weight changes can alter patients' perception of their bodies.
This physical change is often accompanied by emotional upheaval: loss of self-confidence, anxiety and sometimes a feeling of distance from one's own reflection. It can also lead to social estrangement.
Dance: a way of reclaiming the body and managing side effects
Far from being a simple recreational activity, dance offers an interesting way of reconnecting with your body after cancer.
Here's how dance can help you rebuild your body image and manage the side effects of treatment and illness:
Rediscovering the body through movement
Dance invites patients to rediscover their bodies in a positive way. It encourages exploration of physical abilities rather than focusing on limitations. Through fluid, rhythmic movements, patients can improve their relationship with their bodies.
Managing the side effects of treatment
La danse joue également un rôle important dans la gestion des effets secondaires des traitements du cancer. Elle aide notamment à :
Atténuer les douleurs et les raideurs musculaires. Les mouvements dansés améliorent la circulation sanguine, réduisant ainsi les douleurs et les raideurs musculaires souvent causées par l'immobilité prolongée
Managing mobility problems: dance exercises help to gently restore mobility and flexibility, offsetting the adverse effects of treatment on these.
Improving mood: rediscovering the pleasure of moving in your own body through dance induces the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones, helping to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Training concept
The aim of this training course is to bring together people working in the dance and health sectors to :
- Innovating in cancer care
- Supporting the many physical, mental, emotional and social challenges associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Creating care communities that lead to individual and collective well-being
Découvrez en plus sur le mouvement Dance in Cancer Care en visitant le site de Move Dance Feel.
C’est avec grand plaisir que nous avons accueilli Emily Jenkins à la Mosa Ballet School en novembre 2024 pour sa formation d'introduction "Dance in Cancer Care". Suite au succès de cette édition, nous envisageons de la proposer à nouveau en 2025.
Pour être tenu informé de la prochaine session, contactez-nous directement par email !