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Survivorship: How to Survive Cancer and Still Lose Your Life
Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing
|March 19, 2017
Summary
Cancer survivorship often overlooks the profound mental, physical, and spiritual changes survivors experience. This perspective fails to address the diminished quality of life post-treatment, focusing instead on "success stories."
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psycho-oncology
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- The concept of cancer survivorship typically assumes a return to a pre-cancer life.
- This definition inadequately addresses the lasting impacts of cancer and its treatment on an individual's holistic well-being.
- Public focus on positive outcomes often marginalizes the ongoing challenges faced by cancer survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the conventional definition of cancer survivorship.
- To highlight the disconnect between the term 'survivorship' and the lived experiences of individuals post-cancer treatment.
- To advocate for a more comprehensive understanding of the cancer survivor journey.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of existing literature on cancer survivorship.
- Conceptual review of psycho-oncology and quality of life frameworks.
- Critical discourse analysis of media portrayals of cancer survivors.
Main Results:
- The term 'cancer survivorship' is a misnomer, failing to capture the complex, long-term effects of cancer and treatment.
- Survivors frequently experience diminished quality of life affecting mind, body, and spirit.
- The emphasis on 'success stories' obscures the prevalent struggles and unmet needs within the survivor population.
Conclusions:
- A paradigm shift is needed in how cancer survivorship is defined and understood.
- Future research and clinical practice should incorporate the multifaceted realities of cancer survivorship.
- Acknowledging the full spectrum of survivor experiences is crucial for providing adequate support and improving long-term outcomes.
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