Survivors of cancer : a phenomenological study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

Abstract

This paper explores the experiences of survivors of cancer. Eight participants, who were all diagnosed with cancer and had undergone various treatments, were interviewed. These participants had all survived the prognosis and treatment for cancer and continue to live as survivors. Their stories of survival were transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological approach. Initially, the research question was aimed at the type of personal qualities these survivors have; for example, a fighting spirit, positive attitude, or internal locus of control, and whether they attributed their survival to a change in life-style or behaviour through, for example, meditation, diet, prayer, or beliefs. However, during the interview and transcribing process it became clear that, while their stories of survival were exceptional, the participants themselves did not attribute their survival to anything outstanding. They did not necessarily have exceptional personal qualities and were not highly motivated at the time of their diagnoses to change their lifestyle or way of being. None of them had remarkable reasons that they could attribute their survival to. Some attributed their survival to luck. This is consistent with the research by Killoran, Schlitz and Lewis (2002) who found that long-term survivors framed their recoveries as "being largely unremarkable". What was very apparent in all of the survivors stories was that, with survival comes a whole new and different way of being and it poses new psychological issues that have to be faced daily, for the rest of their lives. While each participant's story was one of amazing courage, strength, hope and positiveness, it was also found that surviving cancer can and does have a dark side. Fear of recurrence is always in the forefront of the survivor's mind. Depression and mal-adaptive coping strategies occur in some survivor's lives. Changes in body image, employment, abilities, stress on relationships and ongoing health problems can render a person incapable of coping. Therefore, the research question changed from one of looking at the personalities and life styles of survivors, to that of "what is it like to live as a survivor of cancer?" As a phenomenological study, this shift in focus was significant and necessary. The interviews were analysed and data was formulated into four main clusters; "Why me?": cause, effect & making meaning & sense out of it all; "I just want life to be normal again": the issue of normality, redefining oneself and the physical legacy of surviving treatment; "I've been told that canccr will eventually get me": remission or cure? Living with uncertainty, fear of recurrence and "Keeping busy and my mind off of it helps": coping styles, control and attitude.