Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, UK.
Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, UK.
Br J Health Psychol. 2018 May;23(2):352-370. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12292. Epub 2018 Jan 22.
Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting young people and carries an excellent prognosis. Little is known about the psychosocial issues that face young people diagnosed with a treatable cancer. This study explored how young people experienced diagnosis, treatment, and how they made sense of an experience which challenged their views on what it means to have cancer.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight young people diagnosed with either papillary or follicular thyroid cancer, and analysed with interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).
Two inter-related aspects of their experience are discussed: (1) the range of feelings and emotions experienced including feeling disregarded, vulnerability, shock and isolation; (2) how they made sense of and ascribed meaning to their experience in the light of the unique nature of their cancer. A thread running throughout the findings highlights that this was a disruptive biographical experience.
Young people experienced a loss of youthful immunity which contrasted with a sense of growth and shift in life perspective. Having a highly treatable cancer was helpful in aiding them to reframe their situation positively but at the same time left them feeling dismissed over a lack of recognition that they had cancer. The young peoples' experiences point to a need for increased understanding of this rare cancer, more effective communication from health care professionals and a greater understanding of the experiential impact of this disease on young people. Suggestions to improve the service provision to this patient group are provided. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Differentiated thyroid cancer has an excellent prognosis. Quality of life of thyroid cancer has marginally been explored in the literature. Little is known on the support needs of young people diagnosed with thyroid cancer. What does this study add? Increased understanding of how young people make sense and cope with thyroid cancer despite the lack of support resources. Addressing illness perceptions through improved information support may aid coping and adjustment. Insight into the needs of young people diagnosed with thyroid cancer and recommendations on service improvements.
甲状腺癌是最常见的影响年轻人的癌症之一，其预后极好。对于被诊断为可治疗癌症的年轻人所面临的心理社会问题知之甚少。本研究探讨了年轻人如何经历诊断、治疗，并了解他们如何理解这种挑战他们对癌症含义的看法的经历。
对 8 名被诊断为乳头状或滤泡状甲状腺癌的年轻人进行了半结构式访谈，并采用解释现象学分析（IPA）进行分析。
讨论了他们经历的两个相互关联的方面：（1）所经历的各种感觉和情绪，包括被忽视、脆弱、震惊和孤立感；（2）他们如何根据癌症的独特性质理解和赋予其意义。贯穿研究结果的一个主题是，这是一种具有破坏性的传记经历。
年轻人经历了青春免疫力的丧失，这与成长感和人生观的转变形成鲜明对比。患有高度可治疗的癌症有助于帮助他们积极地重塑自己的处境，但同时也让他们感到被忽视，因为他们认为自己患有癌症，但没有得到足够的认可。年轻人的经历表明，需要更深入地了解这种罕见的癌症，提高医疗保健专业人员的沟通效果，并更好地理解这种疾病对年轻人的体验性影响。为改善该患者群体的服务提供了建议。
关于这个主题，目前已经知道些什么？分化型甲状腺癌的预后极好。文献中略微探讨了甲状腺癌的生活质量。对于被诊断为甲状腺癌的年轻人的支持需求知之甚少。 这项研究增加了什么？ 更多地了解年轻人如何在缺乏支持资源的情况下理解和应对甲状腺癌。通过改善信息支持来解决疾病认知问题可能有助于应对和调整。深入了解被诊断为甲状腺癌的年轻人的需求，并提出服务改进建议。
