| 1. |
- Ahlstedt Karlsson, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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“It is not just any pill”—Women’s experiences of endocrine therapy after breast cancer surgery
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 28:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: For patients diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, endocrine therapy (ET) is usually prescribed to reduce recurrence and mortality rates. Despite the benefits, compliance with treatment varies. The aim of this study was to provide qualitative data about women's experiences with ET after breast cancer surgery. Methods: Twenty-five women, treated with Tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery, were interviewed in seven focus groups. Six open-ended questions were used to explore their experiences. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive content analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in three categories that described the women's experiences: the treatment “creates discomfort”; “promotes levels of management”; and “causes feelings of abandonment”. Women's experiences of treatment could at first glance be seen as positive, as perceived protection, but after further analysis, a deeper meaning was identified: protection with reservation. When experiencing discomfort, the women tried to manage the situation, although the mode of management sometimes varied. The women reported that they needed support, but when the support did not appear, they felt as though they had been abandoned. Moreover, knowledge about side effects became an obstacle, as it could create fear of more severe symptoms. They also described that their disease was perceived by healthcare professionals as “cancer light”. Conclusion: The information needs to be customised specifically to each person. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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| 2. |
- Armuand, Gabriela, et al.
(author)
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Threatened fertility : A longitudinal study exploring experiences of fertility and having children after cancer treatment
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 27:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Infertility is a recognised potential sequel of cancer treatment which impacts negatively on the quality of survival. The aim of this study was to explore how men and women experience the threat of infertility by cancer treatment and individuals' thoughts about having children after cancer during the first 2 years following diagnosis. Nine women and seven men (aged 24-41) participated in two interviews in this longitudinal interview study, after the initiation of cancer treatment and 2 years thereafter. The interviews focused on participants' thoughts and feelings about threatened fertility and having children. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis with a particular focus on identifying experiences over time. The Traits-Desires-Intentions model was used to reflect upon the study findings. The analysis resulted in the identification of four themes: Continue calmly on chosen path, Abandoning plans for children, Avoiding the subject of fertility and Struggling towards life goals. The results emphasise the need to offer individualised fertility-related treatment communication and counselling, both at the time of cancer diagnosis and also in connection with follow-up care. Appropriate fertility-related communication should be included in young cancer patients' survivor care plans.
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| 3. |
- Bergkvist, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Family members' life situation and experiences of different caring organisations during allogeneic haematopoietic stem cells transplantation: : A qualitative study
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 27:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to describe family members' life situation and experiences of care in two different care settings, the patient's home or in hospital during the acute post-transplantation phase after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 family members (seven women and seven men). An inductive qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The majority of the family members' (n = 10) had experiences from home care. The findings show the family members' voice of the uncertainty in different ways, related with the unknown prognosis of the HSCT, presented as Being me being us in an uncertain time. The data are classified into; To meet a caring organisation, To be in different care settings, To be a family member and To have a caring relationship. Positive experiences such as freedom and security from home care were identified. The competence and support from the healthcare professionals was profound. Different strategies such as adjusting, having hope and live in the present used to balance to live in an uncertain time. The healthcare professionals need to identify psychosocial problems, and integrate the psychosocial support for the family to alleviate or decrease anxiety during HSCT, regardless of the care setting.
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| 4. |
- Bergkvist, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Patients' experiences of different care settings and a new life situation after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 27:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Over the past 20 years, considerable healthcare resources have shifted from an inpatient to an outpatient setting. To be in an outpatient setting or at home after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has been shown to be medically safe and beneficial to the patient. In this study we describe patients' experiences of different care settings (hospital or home) and a new life situation during the acute post-transplant phase after HSCT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 patients (six women and nine men) 29-120 days after HSCT. An inductive qualitative content analysis was performed to analyse the data. The analysis resulted in four categories: To be in a safe place, To have a supportive network, My way of taking control, and My uncertain return to normality. The findings showed that patients undergoing HSCT felt medically safe regardless of the care setting. The importance of a supportive network (i.e. the healthcare team, family and friends) was evident for all patients. Both emotional and problem-focused strategies were used to cope with an uncertain future. Being at home had some positive advantages, including freedom, having the potential for more physical activity, and being with family members. The study highlights some key areas thought to provide more personalised care after HSCT.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Browall, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Patient-reported stressful events and coping strategies in post-menopausal women with breast cancer
- 2016
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 25:2, s. 324-333
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this paper was to explore what stressful events post-menopausal women with primary or recurrent breast cancer experience, how bothersome these events were and which coping strategies these women used. Data were collected from 131 patients diagnosed with primary or recurrent breast cancer. The Daily Coping Assessment was used. Thematic analysis was applied to form themes of stressful events. Six types of stressful events were extracted. The most frequently experienced events for women with primary cancer and those with recurrent cancer were distressing bodily symptoms'. The most bothersome event among primary cancer was everyday concerns' and in the recurrent group, distressing psychological reactions'. The most commonly used strategies were acceptance', distraction' and relaxation'. This study shows that women in different parts of the cancer trajectory differ in what they perceive to be stressful events when reporting them in their own words in a diary. The differences have an impact on the subsequent coping strategies they used.
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| 7. |
- Devik Andreasen, Siri, et al.
(author)
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Bereaved family members' perspectives on suffering among older rural cancer patients in palliative home nursing care: A qualitative study
- 2017
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 26:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Little is known about experiences with receiving home nursing care when old, living in a rural area, and suffering from end-stage cancer. The aim of this study was thus to investigate bereaved family members' perceptions of suffering by their older relatives when receiving palliative home nursing care. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 family members, in Norway during autumn 2015, and directed content analysis guided by Katie Eriksson's theoretical framework on human suffering was performed upon the data. The two main categories identified reflected expressions of both suffering and well-being. Expressions of suffering were related to illness, to care and to life and supported the theory. Expressions of well-being were related to other people (e.g. familiar people and nurses), to home and to activity. The results indicate a need to review and possibly expand the perspective of what should motivate care. Nursing and palliative care that become purely disease and symptom-focused may end up with giving up and divert the attention to social and cultural factors that may contribute to well-being when cure is not the goal.
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| 8. |
- Einarsson, Sandra, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Experiences and coping strategies related to food and eating up to two years after the termination of treatment in patients with head and neck cancer
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 28:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose was to describe how patients with head and neck cancer experience and cope with difficulties related to food and eating up to two years after the termination of treatment. One hundred and thirty‐five patients were followed with thematically structured interviews. The patients’ responses of nutritional issues were categorised using similarities and differences technique. In the analysis, six categories emerged describing the process of eating and drinking from the end of treatment up to two years after treatment: The constant battle - eating and drinking over time, Food alterations and nutritional support - both pros and cons, Standing aside and not joining in when eating together with others, Finding ways to cope and to make the new a part of everyday life, Relationships and social support - hindrances and facilitators, and Longing for “normality.” Results imply that patients struggle with physiological, psychological and social aspects related to food and eating, and use coping mechanisms to facilitate their eating problems. The best practice for rehabilitation and follow‐up must be established in order to meet the multifaceted needs of head and neck cancer survivors.
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| 9. |
- Enblom, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Participation in water-exercising long-term after breast cancer surgery: Experiences of significant factors for continuing exercising as a part of cancer rehabilitation
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : WILEY. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 27:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although physical exercising has great benefits, little is known regarding factors of significance for cancer survivors to continue exercising within their rehabilitation. The objective was to describe factors experienced to be of significance for cancer survivors to continue with water-exercising long-term after breast cancer surgery. Women (n=29) who had undergone breast cancer surgery (mastectomy 79%, axillary surgery 86%, and radiotherapy 86%) for median (md) 13 (25th-75th percentile 3-21.5) was followed up regarding their rehabilitation, arm function Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (md 14, IQR 7-32), EQ-5D score (md 0.8, IQR 0.73-1.0) and quality of life EQ health barometer (md 80, IQR 64-95). We performed qualitative focus-group interviews regarding the womens views (n=24). The women had participated in water-exercising 1-46 semesters, md 8 (25th-75th percentile 3-21.5) semesters. Nearly all, 97%, participated in the water-exercising group every week, and 21 (72%) had participated in the water-exercising group at least half of the time since their breast cancer surgery, without complications. The women experienced that factors of significance to continue with water-exercising were the convenience of easily modified weightless exercising in the water, social interaction, and access to a private dressing room. These factors would be important to consider to encourage continuing in exercising.
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| 10. |
- Fauske, L., et al.
(author)
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Identifying bone sarcoma survivors facing psychosocial challenges. A study of trajectories following treatment
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 28:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Bone sarcoma survivors face a number of physical and psychosocial challenges in relation to the late effects they experience following treatment. The present study aimed to identify and explore the different trajectories that bone sarcoma survivors might navigate during follow-up. Methods: In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted, and an inductive thematic analysis was performed. Results: When they were interviewed three to ten years after the primary diagnosis, the eighteen bone cancer survivors were found to be in three different rehabilitation phases that followed fairly distinct trajectories, namely, back to normal, a new normal and still struggling. Only three participants felt that they had returned to a life that was quite similar to the one they had lived prior to having cancer. Fifteen participants considered their lives and their bodies to be significantly altered. Conclusion: Sarcoma survivors who undergo life-changing treatment and return to very different lives than they had before should be identified by healthcare professionals and guided through this demanding phase to better cope with their new living conditions. Information on and tailored guidance related to psychosocial challenges may be of particular importance. Active focus on reorientation, as well as possibilities for growth, seems to be important. © 2019 The Authors. European Journal of Cancer Care Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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