Using a Straussian grounded theory methodology, we explored the meaning women attribute to body image and how they understand their breast cancer experience as influencing their body image to develop a grounded theory of body image for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Interviews were conducted with 27 women who had completed treatment for breast cancer in Canada. Data were analyzed through a process of open, axial, and selective coding using constant comparison techniques and memo-writing. A grounded theory of body image for women diagnosed with breast cancer was developed around the core category of body image: what it means to women, which was underpinned by six themes and 17 subthemes. This theory explains how women diagnosed with breast cancer define body image and illustrates intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that can undermine or support their body image, along with strategies they used to manage their body image. This theory can guide research and practice aimed at enhancing body image and minimizing its consequences for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

使用施特劳斯扎根理论方法，我们探讨了女性赋予身体形象的意义，以及她们如何理解自己的乳腺癌经历会影响她们的身体形象，从而为被诊断患有乳腺癌的女性制定一个扎根的身体形象理论。采访了在加拿大完成乳腺癌治疗的 27 名女性。使用持续比较技术和备忘录编写，通过开放、轴向和选择性编码过程分析数据。针对被诊断患有乳腺癌的女性的身体形象的扎根理论是围绕身体形象的核心类别发展起来的：它对女性意味着什么，由六个主题和 17 个子主题支撑。该理论解释了被诊断患有乳腺癌的女性如何定义身体形象，并说明了可能破坏或支持其身体形象的个人和人际关系因素，以及她们用来管理自己身体形象的策略。该理论可以指导旨在提高身体形象并尽量减少其对诊断患有乳腺癌的女性的影响的研究和实践。