"What I was and what I am": A qualitative study of survivors' experience of urological cancer

Exploring patients and caregivers needs and experiences in oncological physiotherapy: a call for collaborative care

PURPOSE

This study explores whether the full potential of physiotherapy is reaching cancer patients and their caregivers at all stages of the oncological process, aiming to identify gaps and opportunities for improving care.

METHODS

The World Cafe co-design methodology facilitated discussions among cancer patients and caregivers. This dynamic, inclusive, and engaging approach fostered diverse perspectives and deeper insights through collaborative and flexible discussions. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixteen participants were involved (eight cancer survivors and eight caregivers). The mean age of cancer survivors was 63.8 years, while the average age of caregivers was 59.3 years. Breast cancer was the most prevalent diagnosis among patients, and most caregivers had lost their family members to cancer. Analysis revealed two primary themes: "feeling cared for" and "the role of physiotherapy in the oncological process." Key findings highlight the need for more humanized healthcare, with professionals providing support through effective communication and empathy. Significant gaps were detected in both systematic referrals to physiotherapists and their integration into care teams. Testimonies highlighted the lack of knowledge about the full potential of physiotherapy in oncology, hindering access. There was also a demand for recognizing specialized oncological physiotherapists.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight significant gaps in physiotherapy care for cancer survivors and caregivers, including unmet needs due to the lack of information, resources, and effective communication. Future efforts should focus on increasing the visibility of physiotherapy, integrating specialized physiotherapists into oncology teams, and enhancing the emotional education of healthcare professionals to provide more humanized care.

"Dancing on the edge of the abyss": Posttraumatic growth in men cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

Surviving cancer can lead to self-perceived beneficial changes and personal growth, commonly referred to as posttraumatic growth. However, the survivorship experience of men following cancer remains understudied. Thus, our objective was to obtain a comprehensive understanding of men's perceptions of the changes in their lives following cancer.

METHODS

Twenty-four Israeli men who completed cancer treatment participated in five focus group meetings. Data analysis was performed using the thematic analysis method.

RESULTS

Four themes were identified pertaining to both positive and negative changes in the men's lives following cancer: 1) negative manifestations of cancer survivorship; 2) changes in perceptions of life; 3) changes in perceptions of self; and 4) putting changes into action.

CONCLUSION

Whereas earlier research indicated a minimal impact of cancer on men survivors' lives, this study demonstrates multidimensional changes in the lives of such men. Findings revealed a dialectic post-cancer experience that consisted of negative manifestations of cancer survivorship co-existing with positive developments in different aspects of the men's lives. Additionally, prioritizing one's self was a novel finding of the current study.

Loneliness, spiritual well-being, and death perception, as well as their risk factors in urological cancer patients

Cancer patients commonly suffer from loneliness, poor spiritual status, and fear of death; however, these evaluations are rarely revealed in urological cancer patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess the loneliness, spiritual well-being, and death perception, as well as their risk factors in urological cancer patients. A total of 324 urological (including renal, bladder, and prostate) cancer patients and 100 healthy controls were included. The University of California and Los Angeles loneliness scale (UCLA-LS), functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp), and death attitude profile-revised (DAP-R) scores were evaluated. The results showed that the UCLA-LS score was higher, but the FACIT-Sp score was lower in urological cancer patients than in healthy controls. According to the DAP-R score, fear of death, death avoidance, and approaching death acceptance were elevated, but neutral acceptance was lower in urological cancer patients than in healthy controls. Among urological cancer patients, the UCLA-LS score was highest but the FACIT-Sp score was lowest in bladder cancer patients; regarding the DAP-R score, fear of death and death avoidance were highest, but approaching death acceptance was lowest in bladder cancer patients. Interestingly, single/divorced/widowed status, bladder cancer diagnosis, higher pathological grade, surgery, systemic treatment, and local treatment were independent factors for higher UCLA-LS score or lower FACIT-Sp score. In conclusion, urological cancer (especially bladder cancer) patients bear increased loneliness and reduced spiritual well-being; they also carry higher fear of death, death avoidance, and approaching death acceptance but lower neutral acceptance of death.

Exploring Meaning of Life in Women With Breast Cancer in Taiwan: A Phenomenological Study

BACKGROUND

Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer type in terms of incidence for women. Women with breast cancer endure higher levels of psychological distress than other types of cancer because many lose their identity as a woman, which is an additional characteristic of their psychological distress. Research using phenomenology to explore "the meaning of life" is rare among women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of women with breast cancer on "the meaning of life."

METHODS

A phenomenological approach was used. Twenty-six women living with breast cancer drawn from a cancer treatment hospital in Taiwan participated in this study. A semistructured interview was utilized to collect the data, and Colaizzi's seven steps were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged: (a) value of overcoming suffering, (b) value of reciprocal love, (c) value of self-transcendence, and (d) value of spiritual comfort. This means that the participants defined "the meaning of life" through the lens of suffering from cancer, reciprocal love from their families and friends, uncovering and discovering creative pathways that transformed their pain while searching for the value of their existence, and seeking spiritual guidance from religion.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants identified the most pivotal aspect of healing as transforming their pain and accepting value for their suffering. They acknowledged they could not change the fact that they had cancer, but they could learn to accept it as part of their lived experience. Healthcare professionals may use these four themes at a clinically appropriate time on women's journeys toward healing to inspire women with breast cancer to process their own unique "meaning of life."