Paper
Saturday, July 14, 2007
The Next Year: Life of Breast Cancer Survivors after Treatment Completion
Marcia M. Boehmke, DNS, RN, ANPc, Nursing, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| Learning Objective #1: better understand the experiences, needs, and concerns of women after completion of adjuvant treatment for breast cancer and who are considered survivors. |
| Learning Objective #2: gain a greater realization of the fact that care does not end at treatment completion, but is a life long requirement. |
Death rates from breast cancer have declined over the years. While increased survivorship is a positive, quality of life issues remain. Insufficient information is available about persistent symptoms, symptom distress, and symptom trajectory experienced after treatment of breast cancer. Women typically “get on” with their lives, yet still experience physical and emotional symptoms.
The purpose of this study was to identify the symptoms and symptom distress women continue to experience after treatment completion, as well as to determine how these symptoms/symptom distress affect their lives and relationships. This qualitative study was guided by Hermeneutic Phenomenology that emphasizes the lived experience. Women told their “stories” about experiences after treatment completion. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Two investigators reviewed the data, if there was a discrepancy in meaning, the original narratives were reviewed until 100% agreement was achieved.
Five themes emerged: uncertainty, aloneness, despondence over children, concern for family-well-being, and staunchness. Generally women felt uncertain and concerned about their future and the futures of their family. While undergoing treatment, they felt they were fighting their cancer and had health care providers available to monitor their well-being. After treatment they felt they were living in a “black hole” waiting for the “other shoe to drop,” with minimal health care support. They felt alone, and yet felt a need to be strong for their families.
The life long consequences of treatment for breast cancer must be recognized and managed if survivors are to enjoy the lives they will go on to live. Most health care providers are of the impression that women are glad when treatment is over, when indeed often times they are not. Listening carefully to women share their feelings and experiences after treatment is essential if breast cancer survivors are to lead quality lives.