Lived Experience of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Phenomenological Study

Breast cancer (BrCa) is the most common cancer worldwide. Five-year survival rates among individuals with BrCa are the highest of all types of cancer, yet there is a paucity of knowledge about the experiences of survivors regarding living through their diagnosis and treatment. In-depth interviews and the systematic analysis of self-reported experiences may provide in-depth information about the BrCa survivorship experience.

This qualitative study was designed to identify and elucidate the lived experiences of Thai women with BrCa who successfully completed their treatment program for BrCa and/or treatment with chemotherapy for over 5 years and are currently cancer-free.

A phenomenological method was employed. Survivors of BrCa who met the inclusion criteria were purposively selected and invited to take part in the study. Study data were collected between January and March 2019. An open-ended, in-depth interview guide was used to direct the conversation concerning the participants' experiences and perceptions. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.

Data saturation was reached after 12 interviews. The five themes derived from the data include (a) being distressed, (b) accepting treatments and seeking alternative treatments, (c) going through difficult times, (d) becoming a stronger person, and (e) becoming thankful.

The experiences and themes identified enhance scholarly understanding regarding the experience of survivors of BrCa. A true understanding of this experience enables healthcare providers to craft and deliver appropriate interventions that provide quality care and improve women's health, thereby enhancing their quality of life. The results of this study may contribute to the development of new theories by using different qualitative approaches such as grounded theory.