19th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
Breast Cancer Survivors’ Insights: A Qualitative Study
Jennifer L. Dine
Dr. Stephen Hadwiger and Dr. Jane M. Armer (University of Missouri-Columbia), Faculty Mentors
Lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment impacts psychosocial wellbeing, family adaptation, and individual’s perception of the disease. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore themes expressed by women post-operatively treated for breast cancer and/or lymphedema in response to the question “Is there anything else you would like to tell us about breast cancer or lymphedema?" Sixty-four participants from a National Institutes of Health study of lymphedema responded to the open-ended question at the end of a survey repeated eight times over the course of their therapeutic regiments for breast cancer/lymphedema. Reported themes included maintaining personal normalcy, spiritually inspired faith/hope, family/friends/community as support, personal empowerment, influence of positivity/negativity, and self-directed care. Critical attributes derived from each of these themes were identified from the data.
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Lymphedema, Qualitative, Lived Experience
Topic(s):Nursing
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 60-46
Location: OP Lobby and Atrium
Time: 4:15