Return to valued activities: Survivors' experiences of adaptation and growth after treatment for head and neck cancer

Autor: Chandrika Gibson, Moira O’Connor, Rohen White, Melanie Jackson, Siddhartha Baxi, Dianne Sheppard, Georgia K. B. Halkett
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Psycho-Oncology. 32:401-407
ISSN: 1099-1611
1057-9249
DOI: 10.1002/pon.6086
Popis: The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors who returned to valued activities to understand how they reconstruct their lives following HNC diagnosis and treatment.A qualitative research approach based on social constructionist theory was used. A total of 21 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults diagnosed with any type of HNC in the previous six years. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes.HNC presents a unique trauma following which some survivors navigate paths back to meaningful activities. The experiences of HNC survivors who adapted to life after treatment described internal and external change and development, identified by three themes; Mindfulness; Gratitude; and Adaptation.People diagnosed with HNC frequently experience lasting effects and other survivorship issues, however some survivors were able to return to valued activities and recreate a meaningful lifestyle reflecting the possibility of post traumatic growth. This study provides insight into the experiences of head and neck cancer survivors who were able to make meaning and find internal and external growth following treatment. These findings can be used to inform advanced communication skills training for oncology health professionals and psychoeducational courses for people diagnosed with head and neck cancer in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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