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Contracting cancer and coping with it. Patients' experiences
1Department of Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Finland.
Cancer Nursing
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Cancer patients in Finland experience significant adaptation demands, initially coping with shock through defense mechanisms. Subsequent coping involves emotional evaluation, social comparison, and seeking assistance to manage cancer-related feelings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology Nursing
- Psycho-oncology
- Healthcare Research
Background:
- Improving nursing care for cancer patients is crucial.
- Understanding patient adaptation and coping is essential for effective support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe adaptation demands faced by cancer patients in Finland.
- To identify coping mechanisms utilized by cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory study using questionnaires with open-ended questions.
- Semi-structured interviews focusing on four key themes.
- Data collected from 123 cancer patients at various disease stages.
Main Results:
- Adaptation demands emerged early, from symptom onset to treatment initiation.
- 68% of patients experienced cancer as a shock, using defense mechanisms like denial.
- Coping evolved through defense mechanisms, emotional realization, and action-oriented management.
Conclusions:
- Cancer diagnosis presents immediate adaptation challenges and shock.
- Patients employ a progression of coping strategies, including emotional processing and social support seeking.
- Findings can inform enhanced nursing care for Finnish cancer patients.