Appearance care for people with cancer

Helping you feel like yourself and live your life

Thanks to earlier detection and advances in treatment, many people continue working while undergoing cancer treatment. People with cancer are living longer with the disease now, contributing to a growing need to address changes in their appearance.

  • Appearance Care for your confidence and comfort
  • Appearance Care
    For your confidence and comfort

    This booklet compiles beauty information to help cope with typical skin concerns accompanying cancer treatment in one booklet. It features simple techniques and useful tips for all ages and genders.
    View the booklet from below.

    PDF

To care for your appearance and to live in society

HatoeSakamoto

Assistant General Manager/ Senior Social Worker
The Patients and Families Care Coordination Development
National Cancer Center Japan, Hospital East
Hatoe Sakamoto

When I think of addressing the changes in appearance caused by cancer treatment, it always reminds me of a particular patient.
When I first met her, she said repeatedly: “I hardly ever wear makeup to work. If I suddenly started wearing makeup and a wig, all my coworkers would wonder what had happened.
I’m worried about what they might say.” But now, she tells me, “I like to think the treatment was just an opportunity to have a makeover.” She also talks about the significance of caring for her appearance in continuing to be part of society: “My body may be alive, but I am not alive unless I feel part of society. When we feel connected, that is when we feel alive.”

There are more than 30 different types of skin conditions that can be a side effect of cancer treatment. I really hope that more people will understand caring for your appearance plays an important role in maintaining your ties with society such as work and friends.

We want everyone to know makeup can help cover appearance changes. It can help you feel like your true self again and continue living the life you want to live.

Skin concerns we address