Against all odds: Australian women's experiences of recovery from breast cancer

Elmir, R; Jackson, D; Beale, B; Schmied, V

Against all odds: Australian women's experiences of recovery from breast cancer

Elmir, R Jackson, D

Beale, B Schmied, V

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2010, 19 (17-18), pp. 2531 - 2538
Issue Date:: 2010-08-30

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Elmir, R	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Jackson, D https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5252-5325	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Beale, B	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Schmied, V https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4066-1781	en_US
dc.date.issued	2010-08-30	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2010, 19 (17-18), pp. 2531 - 2538	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0962-1067	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/17055
dc.description.abstract	Aim.: The aim of this study was to generate insight into younger women's experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related breast surgery and to contribute to the knowledge base for clinicians practising in this field. Background.: Despite the abundance of literature concerning the impact of breast cancer and breast loss on older women over 50 years of age, fewer studies have been conducted specifically with women younger than 50 years focusing on the recovery from breast cancer and related breast surgery. The effects of breast cancer on younger women differ to those of older women; younger women may have difficulty coming to terms with loss of fertility, perceived loss of femininity, sexuality and may experience body image disfigurement. Younger women may face these issues as a result of the treatment and surgery they have received to confine the breast cancer and attempt to improve their chances of survival. Design.: A phenomenological qualitative methodology was used to capture the true essence and lived experience of four Australian women under the age of 50, who had undergone surgery as a result of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods.: Tape-recorded semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Results.: Thematic analysis revealed four major themes. These were 'It absolutely encompassed me,''Being overwhelmed,''Living with fear and uncertainty' and 'Finding strength within.'. Conclusions.: Findings of this study shed light on the experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related surgery in women under 50. Relevance to clinical practice.: This research study will assist clinicians in understanding the needs of younger women undergoing breast cancer-related breast surgery, who may require counselling in relation to fertility and relationship issues and assistance in coping with the demands of work and home life. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Clinical Nursing	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03196.x	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Breast Neoplasms	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Survivors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Interviews as Topic	en_US
dc.title	Against all odds: Australian women's experiences of recovery from breast cancer	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	17-18	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	19	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1701 Psychology	en_US
dc.location.activity	ISI:000280993800017	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	17-18	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	19	en_US

Abstract:

Aim.: The aim of this study was to generate insight into younger women's experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related breast surgery and to contribute to the knowledge base for clinicians practising in this field. Background.: Despite the abundance of literature concerning the impact of breast cancer and breast loss on older women over 50 years of age, fewer studies have been conducted specifically with women younger than 50 years focusing on the recovery from breast cancer and related breast surgery. The effects of breast cancer on younger women differ to those of older women; younger women may have difficulty coming to terms with loss of fertility, perceived loss of femininity, sexuality and may experience body image disfigurement. Younger women may face these issues as a result of the treatment and surgery they have received to confine the breast cancer and attempt to improve their chances of survival. Design.: A phenomenological qualitative methodology was used to capture the true essence and lived experience of four Australian women under the age of 50, who had undergone surgery as a result of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods.: Tape-recorded semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Results.: Thematic analysis revealed four major themes. These were 'It absolutely encompassed me,''Being overwhelmed,''Living with fear and uncertainty' and 'Finding strength within.'. Conclusions.: Findings of this study shed light on the experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related surgery in women under 50. Relevance to clinical practice.: This research study will assist clinicians in understanding the needs of younger women undergoing breast cancer-related breast surgery, who may require counselling in relation to fertility and relationship issues and assistance in coping with the demands of work and home life. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/17055