Leever’s Look Good Feel Better Program Boosts Confidence in Women with Cancer
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A cancer diagnosis brings significant challenges—not just physical, but mental and emotional as well.
For women, dealing with the physical trials associated with cancer and cancer treatment can be exacerbated by appearance-related side effects, including hair loss, changes in skin tone, and dramatic swings in body weight. Far from being trivial, those appearance-related issues can be devastating to a woman’s self-esteem, body image, social functioning, and sense of self.
To help women deal with these issues in a supportive, caring environment, the Harold Leever Cancer Center holds a monthly workshop called Look Good Feel Better, which serves 1.9 million people globally and holds 15,000 workshops in all 50 states.
Established in 1989 to improve the quality of life and self-esteem of people undergoing cancer treatment, Look Good Feel Better offers complimentary lessons on cosmetics, skincare, wigs and head coverings, nail care and styling to help women manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment with greater confidence, hope, courage and control.
In February, the Look Good Feel Better program released the results of its 2016/2017 global participant survey, which polled more than 13,000 women in eight countries. Participants ranked their feelings of confidence before and after taking the Look Good Feel Better workshop, and the value of the program to their self-image.
Before attending a workshop, 52% of survey participants reported feeling very or somewhat confident in their appearance. After attending a Look Good Feel Better workshop, that number increased by 78%, to nearly 94%. Of those who attended a workshop, 96% said the program was very or somewhat valuable in improving their self-image, and 98% would recommend Look Good Feel Better to another person with cancer.
The Leever Cancer Center hosts Look Good Feel Better events the first Tuesday of every month from 2-4 p.m. For more information or to register, see the event listing or call 1-800-227-2345 or 203-756-8888.