Monica L Molinaro1, Paula C Fletcher2. 1. Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada. mmolina3@uwo.ca. 2. Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5, Canada.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to examine the lived experiences of individuals who had cancer as children, as well as lived experiences of their current primary support persons. METHODS: Based on van Manen's "new" interpretive phenomenology, interviews were conducted with ten pediatric cancer survivors and nine of their support persons to gain a more holistic understanding of the pediatric cancer experiences of children and their families. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the data; however, only the topic of the use of the term "survivor" and identification with the term will be discussed. All participants in the study described their personal definition of the term survivor and what it meant to be a survivor. Additionally, all individuals in the study discussed the concept of being a survivor and if they would consider themselves, or their loved ones, to be "survivors." CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide health care professionals, family members, and individuals fundraising or advocating for cancer causes with insights on how the term survivor may be interpreted. This study may provide insight to individuals who had cancer as children, in showing that their personal perspective shapes their identity; although "survivor" is common cancer vernacular, individuals can choose not to identify with their illness experiences.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to examine the lived experiences of individuals who had cancer as children, as well as lived experiences of their current primary support persons. METHODS: Based on van Manen's "new" interpretive phenomenology, interviews were conducted with ten pediatric cancer survivors and nine of their support persons to gain a more holistic understanding of the pediatric cancer experiences of children and their families. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the data; however, only the topic of the use of the term "survivor" and identification with the term will be discussed. All participants in the study described their personal definition of the term survivor and what it meant to be a survivor. Additionally, all individuals in the study discussed the concept of being a survivor and if they would consider themselves, or their loved ones, to be "survivors." CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide health care professionals, family members, and individuals fundraising or advocating for cancer causes with insights on how the term survivor may be interpreted. This study may provide insight to individuals who had cancer as children, in showing that their personal perspective shapes their identity; although "survivor" is common cancer vernacular, individuals can choose not to identify with their illness experiences.
Entities:
Keywords:
Pediatric cancer; Pediatric cancer survivor; Pediatric cancer survivorship; Perceptions of pediatric cancer survivorship; Primary support persons
Authors: Vikki G Nolan; Kevin R Krull; James G Gurney; Wendy Leisenring; Leslie L Robison; Kirsten K Ness Journal: Pediatr Blood Cancer Date: 2014-03-24 Impact factor: 3.167
Authors: Kevin C Oeffinger; Ann C Mertens; Charles A Sklar; Toana Kawashima; Melissa M Hudson; Anna T Meadows; Debra L Friedman; Neyssa Marina; Wendy Hobbie; Nina S Kadan-Lottick; Cindy L Schwartz; Wendy Leisenring; Leslie L Robison Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2006-10-12 Impact factor: 176.079