The impact of Health Communication research on cancer survivorship

Patient-Centered Communication to Address Young Adult Breast Cancer Survivors' Reproductive and Sexual Health Concerns

Women faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer as young adults commonly experience negative effects of cancer and cancer treatment on their reproductive and sexual health (RSH) that are inadequately addressed by their healthcare providers (HCPs). The objectives of this study were to 1) identify approaches to improving RSH communication from YA breast cancer survivors' perspectives, 2) identify facilitators and barriers to the approaches identified, and 3) identify specific strategies to improve patient-centered RSH communication. We conducted individual telephone interviews with 29 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer under age 40 years. We used a grounded theory approach to identify themes, and explored how the themes related to the PCC framework to elucidate specific strategies for improving communication. Three main themes emerged: 1) Normalizing and integrating assessment of RSH concerns; 2) HCP conveying genuine caring and investment; and 3) Improving accessibility of comprehensive RSH services after cancer. Results revealed concrete strategies for improving patient-centered RSH communication at the patient-provider and health system levels. These included reminding patients that RSH concerns are common, routinely asking about RSH, using active listening, and connecting patients to HCP who can address their RSH concerns.

Long-Term Cancer Survivors' Everyday Embodiment

Long-term survivors of cancer (LTS) face daunting challenges to their physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being in the years following completion of cancer treatment. Most LTS face a new reality shaped by chronic "late effects" of treatments, or illnesses and conditions caused by chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, medications, and other treatments. Copious biomedical research explores the health challenges of patients undergoing cancer treatment, yet relatively little investigates the lived experience of LTS from a health communication perspective. Using Managing Meaning of Embodied Experience Theory (Field-Springer & Striley, 2018) as a critical embodiment lens, this study describes LTS' embodiment of health and illness. Critical qualitative analyses produced three themes: Bodies-in-relation, bodies entangled with biomedical actants, and dynamic embodiment. We discuss implications for health communication research and theorizing and for healthcare practice.

Searching for the new normal: exploring the role of language and metaphors in becoming a cancer survivor

PURPOSE

This qualitative exploratory study was grounded in local patient and service user experiences and was designed to investigate how the language and metaphors of cancer influence personal and social adjustment after completion of a course of treatment.

METHODS

The study employed a focus group design, in which eighteen people, recruited through regional networks and support groups, participated. Meetings elicited participants' stories and focused discussion on key words and common phrases in the cancer lexicon. Data from transcribed focus group recordings were analysed thematically and organised into descriptive categories concerned with the interpretations of common terms and how these influenced the management of identity and emotions.

RESULTS

The thematic categories emphasised the importance of language in the way participants managed their illness and sought to control their feelings and their interactions with others. Interpretation of findings revealed a strong central idea linking participants' accounts, which was that language, metaphor and euphemism are central to adjustment and the forging of an altered identity as a survivor of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings are consistent with what is already known about the language and metaphors of cancer, with language being an important mechanism for managing uncertainty. From participants' accounts it also appears that there may be subtle but important differences in professional and lay understandings of cancer language and metaphor. This suggests a need for oncology nurses to elaborate their broad understanding of communication skills and move toward a more detailed understanding of the language used during interactions with patients.