Marcom Sophie Marie, Sorensen Mark
Department of Anthropology at UNC-Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 301 Alumni Hall, Campus Box #3115, 207 East Cameron Avenue, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-3115, USA.
J Cancer Surviv. 2024 Oct 15. doi: 10.1007/s11764-024-01688-y.
Female breast cancer survivors (BCS) experience different paths to healing after the conclusion of primary treatment. This study sought to describe the experiences of female BCS in the months and years after primary treatment by determining how and when healing happens, as well as what healing means to BCS.
A qualitative approach was used through thematic analysis of data collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews from 17 female BCS.
Data analysis identified four major themes: (i) the process of finishing treatment and continuity of care, (ii) support systems for BCS, (iii) self-efficacy and personal accountability, and (iv) the social transition after cancer.
Factors that affect the healing of BCS can be conceptualized as external or personal. Participants found that barriers to healing created by external factors were addressed by improved coordination of care and high-involvement transition programs as opposed to conversational support groups. Barriers created by personal factors were mitigated through organically formed support systems and promotion of self-efficacy and resilience. Participants expressed a desire for a shift in mainstream discourse to better reflect their experiences. Each BCS conceptualized survivorship differently, with some seeing a clear end to healing, and others who viewed it as a lifelong process.
Understanding the many paths to healing taken by BCS after concluding primary treatment, as well as common barriers to and catalysts for healing, can aid providers in addressing patient needs based on their individual experiences.
女性乳腺癌幸存者（BCS）在完成初始治疗后经历不同的康复路径。本研究旨在通过确定康复如何发生、何时发生以及康复对BCS意味着什么，来描述女性BCS在初始治疗后的数月和数年中的经历。
采用定性研究方法，通过对17名女性BCS的问卷调查和半结构化访谈收集的数据进行主题分析。
数据分析确定了四个主要主题：（i）完成治疗的过程和持续护理，（ii）BCS的支持系统，（iii）自我效能感和个人责任感，以及（iv）癌症后的社会转型。
影响BCS康复的因素可分为外部因素或个人因素。参与者发现，外部因素造成的康复障碍可通过改善护理协调和高参与度的过渡计划来解决，而不是通过对话式支持小组。个人因素造成的障碍可通过有机形成的支持系统以及促进自我效能感和恢复力来缓解。参与者表示希望主流话语有所转变，以更好地反映她们的经历。每个BCS对生存的概念化方式不同，有些人认为康复有明确的终点，而另一些人则将其视为一个终身过程。
了解BCS在完成初始治疗后所采取的多种康复路径，以及康复的常见障碍和促进因素，有助于医疗服务提供者根据患者的个人经历满足其需求。
