114 Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer survivors experience positive and negative changes during the post-treatment period. The purpose of this research is to explain breast cancer survivors’ post-treatment experiences based on the Neuman System Model. Material and Method: In the research, the phenomenological approach, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The research included volunteering patients registered in the Medical Oncology department of a university hospital in Turkey. Criterion sampling method was used. The sample is comprised of survivors (n = 15) who completed breast cancer treatment minimum 3 months, maximum 5 years ago. The data were collected with the ‘semi-structured interview form’ using the in-depth interview method. In order to analyze the data, the content analysis method was used. The Neuman System Model was used to create the themes. Results: The data were categorized into three themes: stressors, variables and intervention. While the theme of stressors described by Neuman includes; intrapersonal, interpersonal, extrapersonal sub-themes, the theme of the variables includes; physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental and spiritual subthemes. The intervention theme includes; tertiary protection subtheme. Conclusion: In conclusion, in this study, it was determined that breast cancer survivors suffered from biopsychosocial stressors during the post-treatment period, they tried to overcome these stressors with physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental and spiritual variables. It is recommended that health personnel should evaluate these requirements of breast cancer survivors and handle the issue from a holistic perspective.