Download "The transition from living despite cancer to living with cancer”

"The transition from living despite cancer to living with cancer”
A qualitative study of self-perception of Breast Cancer Survivors considering the
discussion of cancer as a chronic disease
Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Hanna Mayer, Mag. Johanna Breuer
Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women in the industrialized
world. Due to early detection and improved treatment methods, the rate of longterm Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) increased over the last years and ranges now
between 40-45%. Considering this fact there is a broad discussion in the health
related literature if cancer can be considered as a chronic disease.
The aim of the research was to clarify if cancer can be mentioned as a chronic disease
out of the perspective of the person concerned and to see if current nursing theories
of chronic disease can be applied to cancer patients.
Method: Nine qualitative interviews with BCS were conducted, transcribed and
analyzed using qualitative content analysis procedures.
Results: Out of the data a first model of understanding the situation and the status of
BCS was developed. As it shows, the diagnosis of breast cancer means the entry in a
new reality for the women and they will never get back to their former life anyhow
they aspire to get back to normality (but this is a “new“ one). Their perception is on
the one hand influenced by more illness related factors (cancer leaves always marks,
cancer is perceived as a permanent hypothetic threat) and more health related (to
change stance, to open themselves, to get back normality). The model shows, that the
status of BCS is not stable. It contents a shift between perspectives. This shift of
perspectives between illness and health turns out to be a continuous challenge for
the women concerned. The results also showed to main transitions: Living despite
cancer turns to living with cancer and the transition from a person who suffers on
cancer to a person who had suffered on cancer.
Conclusion: Although the results show some similarities to current theories of
chronic disease, BCS would not define themselves as chronic ill, nevertheless their
reality has changes and they could never get back to a stable “healthy” status. So
professional care must mention this, needs to be supportive and offer guidance to
BCS.