The populations
who survive from breast cancer are growing; nevertheless, they mostly encounter
with many cancer related problems in their life, especially after early
diagnosis and have to deal with these problems. Except for the disease entity,
several socio-cultural factors may affect confronting this challenge among
patients and the way they deal with. Present study was carried out to prepare
clear understanding of Iranian women's lived experiences confronting breast
cancer diagnosis and coping ways they applied to deal with it.
METHODS:
This study was
carried out by using qualitative phenomenological design. Data gathering was
done through purposive sampling using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with
18 women who survived from breast cancer. The transcribed interviews were
analyzed using Van Manen's thematic analysis approach.
RESULTS:
Two main themes
were emerged from the interviews including "emotional turbulence" and
"threat control". The first, comprised three sub themes including
uncertainty, perceived worries, and living with fears. The second included risk
control, recurrence control, immediate seeking help, seeking support and
resource to spirituality.
CONCLUSION:
Emotional response was the immediate reflection
to cancer diagnosis. However, during post-treatment period a variety of
emotions were not uncommon findings, patients' perceptions have been changing
along the time and problem-focused coping strategies have replaced. Although
women may experience a degree of improvement and adjustment with illness, the
emotional problems are not necessarily resolved, they may continue and
gradually engender positive outcomes.
Ketika anda memasuki