Lived experiences of gynaecological cancer survivors in Oman: a qualitative study

A significant number of patients with gynaecological cancers survive their disease and are considered cured. However, the diagnosis of cancer and its treatment can affect quality of life adversely. We sought to explore the lived experiences of women surviving gynaecological cancers in Oman.

Omani patients with gynaecological cancers who had completed their treatment more than 1 year ago and were following up in the medical oncology clinic at a major cancer centre in Oman were interviewed. A qualitative study design was employed using face-to-face semistructured individual interviews. To prevent recall bias, women diagnosed with cancer within the past 5 years only were included. The sample size was determined using data saturation, where data collection revealed no new information. All interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed using a standardised thematic analysis approach.

Four main themes emerged: 'Beliefs and attitudes'; 'Living with Treatment Complications'; 'Living with cancer' and 'Coping with the Cancer Journey'.

The diagnosis of cancer had a profound effect on the lives of women with gynaecological cancer. The diagnosis negatively affected their lives throughout their cancer journey due to social role changes, fertility and sexual problems. Religion and social support played major roles in coping with the disease. This is the first study describing the lived experiences of Muslim and Omani survivors of gynaecological cancers and may help to determine their survivorship needs.