ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: With increasing rates of breast cancer survivors, psychosocial issues surrounding cancer survivorship have been gaining prominence. The following article reports on body image and sexuality-related issues in aftermath of the diagnosis and its treatment in the Indian context. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research design was mixed method, cross-sectional, and exploratory in nature. Quantitative sample consisted of fifty survivors while the qualitative sample size included 15 out of the 50 total breast cancer survivors who were recruited from hospitals, nongovernmental organization, and through word-of-mouth. Data was collected using quantitative measures, and in-depth interviews were done using semi-structured interview schedule that was developed for the study. Qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive phenomenological approach. RESULTS: In body image, emerging themes were about identity (womanhood, motherhood, and attractiveness), impact of surgery, hair loss, clothes, and uncomfortable situations. In sexuality, barriers were faced due to difficulty in disclosure and themes were about adjustments made by spouses, role of age, and sexual difficulties due to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Findings imply need to address the issues of body image and sexuality as it impacts quality of life of survivors.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of the study was to understand the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in women survivors of breast cancer from an Indian perspective. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: It was a mixed method, cross-sectional, and exploratory design wherein in-depth qualitative data covering a broader area of experiences were gathered from a sub-section of the larger quantitative sample (n = 50). The qualitative sample consisted of 15 Indian women from urban communities of Southern and Eastern India. Sampling method was purposive in nature. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Semi-structured interview schedule was developed by researchers based on a review of literature. In-depth interviews were audio recorded after their permissions were obtained and carried out at homes and offices of participants. All participants spoke English. Qualitative data were collected until no new phenomenological information emerged through the interviews. DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS: Descriptive phenomenological approach was utilized to analyze the interview data. It focuses on understanding one's life experience from the first person's point of view. RESULTS: Consistent with other literature, PTG was evident in varying forms through positive changes in perspective toward life, better understanding of self, closer, and warmer relationships, and richer spiritual dimension of life. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have implications for promoting holistic cancer care and identifying ways to promote PTG through the initial stages of cancer care into survivorship trajectory.
ABSTRACT
The experience of diagnosis and treatment of cancer leads to significant changes within an individual. In the course of survivorship trajectory, very often cancer survivors are left with the sense, improvements could be done to enhance the quality of cancer care. This article focuses on experiences of breast cancer survivors with oncology setting in urban India. Data was collected from 15 women in South and East India using in-depth interview method. Qualitative interview data was analysed using descriptive phenomenology method. Areas of importance that emerged broadly included informational and emotional categories. Findings reveal quality of cancer care in India can be improved through developing an orientation towards patient-centred style rather than doctor/disease centred approach which has major influence on physical and mental health outcomes. This would require further research and increased emphasis on training of medical as well as paramedical professionals.