Experiencing secondary losses in cancer patients concerning disease trajectory

Oncological disease is characterized not only by the initial loss of health resulting from the diagnosis itself, but also by secondary losses that affect the areas of physical, emotional, spiritual, and social life. These phenomena are associated with the patients' and their families' living conditions; however, they can also manifest in a highly personal and intimate manner, even at the existential level. The topic remains understudied even in the international context.

The research group of the study, conducted from July 2024 to May 2025, consisted of 10 oncological patients. The study's ethical considerations are noteworthy: the patients were not newly diagnosed, hospitalized, or experiencing an acute psychological crisis. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The group size and homogeneity were defined according to the research method's principles.

The study identified a range of secondary losses, which included short-term, long-term, permanent, and threatening losses. These losses were found to be interconnected and cumulative, often proving to be more intense than the primary loss of health itself. Secondary losses have frequently been underestimated and overlooked in terms of their significance and impact. Insufficient attention has been paid to the experience of loneliness and isolation, often compounded by feelings of shame or guilt. Additionally, the loss of fellow patients was another experience that often went neglected.

For oncological patients, the loss of health is just the beginning of multiple significant losses they face. The patient's experience of secondary losses can affect the treatment and quality of life during and after treatment. The burden of these losses is a critical factor in identifying vulnerable patients who may develop serious psychosocial conditions.