Life experiences of adolescents with cancer in Turkey: a phenomenological study

To explore life experiences of adolescents after cancer diagnosis.

The phenomenological qualitative study was conducted at the paediatric oncology clinic of a university hospital in Edirne, Turkey, from March 15 to April 1, 2016, and comprised semi-structured interviews with adolescents aged 10-18 years diagnosed with different types of cancer. Data was analysed using Colaizzi's method.

Of the 12 adolescents, 7(58.3%) were boys and 5(41.7%) were girls. The overall mean age was 14.92}2.19. Mean duration of life post-diagnosis was 2.87}2.94 years (range: 1-11 years), and all (100%) of them had undergone chemotherapy. More adolescents experienced shock, sadness, fear, anxiety, curiosity and uncertainty when they learned their diagnosis. Changes related to family included missing their siblings and parents, and feelings of guilt, anger, and sibling jealousy. Adolescents stated that they missed their schools and friends, feared stigmatisation, abandonment and changes related to future. They wanted a stress-free life, to have an occupation, to continue school, and to be independent.

Cancer changed adolescents' relationships with family and peers, and their feelings and thoughts regarding future. It is important that health professionals, especially nurses, recognise and understand such changes to provide quality care.