The (in)visible scar. Representation of the body in blogs by women with breast cancer

  • Gerard Coll-Planas Universitat de Vic
  • Mariona Visa Universitat de Lleida
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_POSO.2015.v52.n2.45289
Keywords: Cancer, Internet, Body, Illness, Gender

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the representation of the body in blogs by women with breast cancer. Taking into account both texts and images, we study the representation of the body on the basis of the body problems proposed by Frank (1995): control, body-relatedness, other-relatedness and desire. In the blogs studied we find a desiring and dyadic body, which is understood as part of a network of affection and care. The diagnosis of cancer can generate both dissociation, when the body is experienced as a threat, and association, a wish to be connected to it. In relation to control, a clear will of predictability is observed but traces of assumption of contingency also appear.

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Author Biography

Gerard Coll-Planas, Universitat de Vic
Doctor en sociología por la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona y professor en la Universitat de Vic. Ha sido el coordinador académico del proyecto Contra la homofobia, Herramientas para las administraciones locales, cofinanciado por la Dirección General de Justicia, Libertad y Seguridad de la Comisión Europea (2010-2011). Ha publicado artículos académicos en Sexualities, Athenea Digital, European Journal of Women’s Studies, Nouvelles Questions Féministes, Revista Española de Ciencia Política y Papers. Revista de Sociologia.
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Published
2015-05-22
How to Cite
Coll-Planas G. y Visa M. (2015). The (in)visible scar. Representation of the body in blogs by women with breast cancer. Política y Sociedad, 52(2), 487-507. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_POSO.2015.v52.n2.45289
Issue
Vol. 52 No. 2 (2015): Latin American contributions to Social Sciences in the context of the environmental crisis and with participatory method
Section
Miscelaneus

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