Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to explore in depth the meaning and meaning discrepancies among older Norwegian breast cancer survivors in light of the meaning making model by Park (2013).Design: We utilized a qualitative design collecting data using semi-structured interviews of 23 elderly breast cancer survivors 7–8 years after treatment. The interviews followed an interview guide structured along three main themes: “everyday life activities,” “follow-up-care experiences” and “health status and QoL.”Results: Several health problems were reported by the women in the aftermaths of the disease, such as sleeping problems, pain, and fatigue—including cognitive and emotional impairments. Meaning discrepancies were concentrated on six main themes: shifting perspectives and priorities, growing sense of autonomy, widening the limits of normality, dissociating oneself from the disease, embracing alternative health services, and feeling lucky. The women engaged in a wide range of coping techniques as efforts to change global meaning, and to develop a more positive view on the cancer experience. Common coping efforts across the six main themes were social comparison, denial, positive reappraisal, problem-focused coping, and revaluing ordinary events.Conclusion: Many cancer patients report on unmet needs for help with their meaning making, and the facilitation of meaning making processes is rarely included in the follow-up care of cancer survivors. The findings of the present study may help health care professionals provide care for women who have experienced breast cancer. The concrete knowledge of common coping efforts in the meaning making process may contribute to the development of future interventions and for gaining a deeper understanding for older survivors of breast cancer.
Highlights
As breast-cancer treatments have become more advanced, more than 90% of women experiencing breast cancer enters long-term survivorship (>5 years after diagnosis) (Ferlay et al, 2018)
Many cancer patients report on unmet needs for help with their meaning making processes
This study provided an in-depth exploration of meaning and meaning discrepancies of older breast cancer survivors 7– 8 years after diagnosis
Summary
As breast-cancer treatments have become more advanced, more than 90% of women experiencing breast cancer enters long-term survivorship (>5 years after diagnosis) (Ferlay et al, 2018). To perceive one’s life as meaningful is crucial to people’s mental and existential wellbeing and health, and perceived meaning in life is found to be a vital health-promoting resource among vulnerable populations such as cancer patients and survivors (Park et al, 2008; Park and George, 2013; van der Spek et al, 2017; Haugan and Dezutter, 2021). Relevant supportive health care interventions addressing the comorbidity burden among older long-term breast cancer survivors, and promoting existential and mental wellbeing will be even more important in the years to come (Winger et al, 2020). Studies addressing perceived meaning and meaning making as a healthpromoting resource among long-term breast cancer survivors are scarce (Schroevers et al, 2004; van der Spek et al, 2013). This study addresses this knowledge gap, exploring in depth the meaning making among older long-term breast cancer survivors
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