Aliya Alimujiang1, Lilah Khoja1, Ashley Wiensch1, Malcolm C Pike2, Penelope M Webb3, Georgia Chenevix-Trench4, Anne Chase5, Jean Richardson6, Celeste Leigh Pearce7. 1. Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. 3. Department of Population Health, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, 4006, QLD, Australia. 4. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, 4006, QLD, Australia. 5. Multidisciplinary Ovarian Cancer Outcomes Group, Regina, Sk. S4T 7X8, Canada. 6. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 7. Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: lpearce@umich.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Although a high proportion of women with advanced stage ovarian cancer die within five years, approximately 30% will survive longer than this. The factors contributing to exceptional survival are currently poorly understood. The viewpoints of ovarian cancer survivors were qualitatively explored to determine the factors they felt have influenced their exceptional ovarian cancer survival. METHODS: Four focus groups, one each in Los Angeles (California), Ann Arbor (Michigan), New York (New York) and Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), were conducted with women who had survived at least five years. Physical activity, diet, meditation, prayer, treatment, complementary medicine, and side effects were explored in semi-structured discussions. The audiotaped sessions were transcribed and coded and then analyzed using Dedoose Version 8.0.35, a qualitative analysis software. RESULTS: Of the 26 women who participated, 23 had advanced stage disease. Three overarching themes emerged: (a) survivors had improved their 'lifestyles', including but not limited to fitness and diet; (b) survivors were able to draw on strong support systems, which included family, friends, support groups, faith communities, and healthcare workers; and (c) survivors had a strong life purpose, which manifested as positivity, taking charge of their lives, and advocating for themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survivors have varying experiences with their cancer, but identified lifestyle modification, motivation and persistence, strong life purpose, and strong support systems as key elements in their better survival. These preliminary findings indicate the need for further prospective studies to determine whether meaningful differences exist between short term and long term survivors on these characteristics.
OBJECTIVE: Although a high proportion of women with advanced stage ovarian cancer die within five years, approximately 30% will survive longer than this. The factors contributing to exceptional survival are currently poorly understood. The viewpoints of ovarian cancer survivors were qualitatively explored to determine the factors they felt have influenced their exceptional ovarian cancer survival. METHODS: Four focus groups, one each in Los Angeles (California), Ann Arbor (Michigan), New York (New York) and Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), were conducted with women who had survived at least five years. Physical activity, diet, meditation, prayer, treatment, complementary medicine, and side effects were explored in semi-structured discussions. The audiotaped sessions were transcribed and coded and then analyzed using Dedoose Version 8.0.35, a qualitative analysis software. RESULTS: Of the 26 women who participated, 23 had advanced stage disease. Three overarching themes emerged: (a) survivors had improved their 'lifestyles', including but not limited to fitness and diet; (b) survivors were able to draw on strong support systems, which included family, friends, support groups, faith communities, and healthcare workers; and (c) survivors had a strong life purpose, which manifested as positivity, taking charge of their lives, and advocating for themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survivors have varying experiences with their cancer, but identified lifestyle modification, motivation and persistence, strong life purpose, and strong support systems as key elements in their better survival. These preliminary findings indicate the need for further prospective studies to determine whether meaningful differences exist between short term and long term survivors on these characteristics.
Authors: María Dolores Guerra-Martín; María Sandra Tejedor-Bueno; Matías Correa-Casado Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-24 Impact factor: 3.390
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