Embodiment-based self-management for Israeli breast cancer survivors after mind-body therapy

Objective: As advances in breast cancer treatment have bolstered survival rates, post-treatment self-management has become crucial for survivors’ well-being. Methods: In the current qualitative research, conducted via content and form analysis of 12 in-depth interviews, the authors explored self-management strategies in the narratives of female breast cancer survivors who underwent mind-body therapy. Results: Three coping models emerged: (1) an illness-focused story overshadowing the body, (2) a coexistence of illness and body stories, and (3) an embodied illness-story. These self-management models showcase a developmental sequence, reflecting the evolution of coping mechanisms. Conclusion: The study underscores embodiment’s significance in fostering agency and well-being, particularly in a societal and medical context where body attention tends to be marginalized.