Abstract
ObjectivesDue to the increasing survivorship of breast cancer, survivor’s view of their families through the process of diagnosis and treatment is essential. The Theory of Health-related Family Quality of Life (HRFQoL) guided this exploration of the ways in which breast cancer impacts family life. In this study, HRFQoL was used to explore breast cancer survivors’ perceptions of the theory’s sub-concepts of psychological and/or affectional closeness, family communication, and social support. The guiding research question was: In what ways do breast cancer survivors describe their experiences regarding changes in emotional closeness among family members following their breast cancer diagnosis? Participants (N = 22) were interviewed to discuss their experiences with breast cancer, family quality of life, decision-making, basic health information, and personal coping. Data were analyzed using NVivo 9 to conduct thematic analysis and consensual qualitative data analysis.ResultsDiagnosis and treatment of breast cancer improved the majority of participants’ HRFQoL. Participants who reported positive perceptions prior to diagnosis also reported positive perceptions after diagnosis. These findings elucidate the HRFQoL theory and contribute to understanding how breast cancer impacts family life.
Highlights
The number of invasive and in situ case of breast cancer continues to rise while survival rates remains high with 3.5 million women currently living as breast cancer survivors [1]
This study examined qualitative data generated from breast cancer survivors in order to elucidate the concepts of affectional–psychological closeness, feelings about family communication, support among the family, and support for the family within the Health-related Family Quality of Life Theory [7]
These findings suggest that some breast cancer survivors may experience changes in their feelings of emotional satisfaction within the family and their sense of affectional–psychological closeness
Summary
The number of invasive and in situ case of breast cancer continues to rise while survival rates remains high with 3.5 million women currently living as breast cancer survivors [1]. Because breast cancer impacts the entire family, not just the patient/survivor [8] it is essential to gain understanding of family quality of life for the effected families as quality of life can be affected for the better and for the worse [5]. Radina [7] Theory of Health-Related Family Quality of Life (HR-FQoL) guided this study that explored breast cancer survivors’ perceptions of how
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