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Hendriks RTJ, van Eenbergen MCHJ, de Boer ML, Sleeman SHE, Boll D, Husson O, Bootsma TI. 'There is still a part of me that would love to be the old me again', how do adolescents and young adults (AYA) experience cancer-related bodily changes: a phenomenological interview study. J Cancer Surviv 2024:10.1007/s11764-024-01578-3. [PMID: 38573458 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-024-01578-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Due to the increase in both cancer incidence and overall survival rates, more adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have to live with the effects that their cancer diagnosis and following treatments have on their bodies. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to gain more insight into the way AYAs experience these effects and how they respond to these effects. METHODS Semi-structured interviews with a sample of 11 AYAs with an age range of 25-41 years at the time of the interview, who were diagnosed with different types of cancer, were conducted. Participants were recruited via social media and patient associations until data saturation was reached. A topic guide with open-ended questions about lived experiences was used. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was performed to analyse the transcripts. RESULTS We identified six Group Experiential Themes based on different ways AYAs experience their bodies: (1) self-conscious body, (2) vulnerable body, (3) adapting to the body, (4) uncontrollable body, (5) remembering the body and (6) shared bodies. CONCLUSION This study offers in-depth insight into the bodily experiences of AYAs after cancer and how they respond to these changes from a phenomenological point of view. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS This knowledge could be beneficial to provide more guidance for AYAs during and after their illness, by focussing on personalised psychological (after)care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin T J Hendriks
- Department of Culture Studies, School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mies C H J van Eenbergen
- Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization, 3511 DT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg University, 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein L de Boer
- Department of Culture Studies, School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Sophia H E Sleeman
- Dutch AYA 'Young & Cancer' Care Network, 3511 DT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dorry Boll
- Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization, 3511 DT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg University, 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands
- Department of Gynaecology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Olga Husson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Tom I Bootsma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Ahn J, Suh EE. [The Lived Experience of Body Alteration and Body Image with Regard to Immediate Breast Reconstruction among Women with Breast Cancer]. J Korean Acad Nurs 2021; 51:245-259. [PMID: 33993129 DOI: 10.4040/jkan.21028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of body alteration and body image with regard to immediate breast reconstruction among women with breast cancer. METHODS Data were collected from July to December 2020 through individual in-depth interviews with 15 women who had undergone immediate breast reconstruction due to breast cancer. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis. RESULTS The following four theme clusters emerged. First, "revalued meaning of breasts due to cancer" illustrated the fact that cancer removal surgery brought the participants to reconsider the meaning of their breasts. Second, "had no choice but breast reconstruction" demonstrated the participants' decision-making process of not wanting to lose breasts. Third, "unsatisfied breasts despite reconstruction" portrayed the distress due to the unexpected surgical outcomes. Finally, "restarted everyday routines with the altered body" described the healing process of the participants by accepting their changed body. CONCLUSION In Korea, where family-centeredness and fidelity are highly valued, women perceived their breasts not only as a symbol of femininity but as the mediator connecting the self to family. Despite the distress related to imperfect breasts, the participants were thankful for their reconstructed breasts. Breast reconstruction helped them return to daily life as the psychological trauma of breast cancer was healed. The participants rebuilt their body image by accepting their scarred new body. This may allow health professionals to provide constructive and culturally appropriate counseling in advance by providing insight into women's perception of their body image with regard to breast reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghee Ahn
- College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunyoung E Suh
- College of Nursing · Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
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