| Learning Objective #1: Understand the experience of living with prostate cancer from the participants in this study | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify and describe the phenomenological research method used in this study |
Purpose/Specific Aims The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe and illuminate the experience of living with prostate cancer. Because professional nursing practice is enmeshed in people's life experiences, this study provided an opportunity for men to describe their experience of living with the disease.
Design/Method Participants were recruited by solicitation of local prostate cancer support groups in a metropolitan city of the United States. Criteria for inclusion in the research study were: a diagnosis of prostate cancer with the last five years; 21 years of age or older; the ability to converse in English; and willing to participate in an individual audio-taped interview. Ten men ranging in age from 46 to73 participated in the study. The participants were asked to respond to the statement “Tell me about your experience of living with prostate cancer.” The audio-taped interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using van Manen's (1990) phenomenological methodology and Lincoln and Guba (1985) constant comparative method.
Findings/Implications The findings of the study included four major themes and eight subthemes. They were (1) Accepting the Diagnosis of Cancer with subthemes of Denial and Fear, (2) Taking Control with subthemes of Gaining Information and Making Decisions, (3) Life Changing Event with subthemes of Intimate Relationship and Anticipatory Consequences, (4) Watchful Waiting with subthemes of Remaining Hopeful and Sharing their Stories. Through verbal expression of the men sharing their experience of living with prostate cancer, nurses can better understand what it is like to live with the disease. Even though, one individual's experience cannot directly uncover the meaning embedded in another's experience, the meaning of the experiences shared in this study may have a significance for others suffering with prostate cancer.