An exploratory study of positive life changes in Turkish women diagnosed with breast cancer

Abstract

Purpose The present study explored the prevalence of positive changes in Turkish women with breast cancer and the possible relationships between these changes and patient variables such as socio-demographic and illness-related information. It also explored the nature of positive life changes reported by Turkish women with breast cancer. Methods and sample The study was conducted at Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital in Ankara. Participants were 84 women with breast cancer and open-ended questionnaires eliciting patient narratives were primarily used to collect the data. Socio-demographic and illness characteristics, as well as any positive changes in the participants’ life after the breast cancer diagnosis was also collected. For the participants who indicated positive changes a further open-ended question was asked: “Could you write down the positive changes that occurred in your life after being diagnosed with breast cancer?”. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data gathered from the participants who mentioned a positive change in their life following the breast cancer diagnosis. Results Positive life changes were reported by 50% ( n = 42) of the women and these changes were found to increase only with an increase in the patients' educational level. Qualitative analysis of the data indicated four main themes of positive changes: self-perception, empowerment, greater appreciation of life, and changes in interpersonal relations. Conclusion If nurses are aware of positive changes following the illness, they can help their patients to understand, adapt better and cope with their illness.