Constructing meaning from the experience of cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe how people with cancer create new sources of meaning at significant times in the illness trajectory.


METHODS
Nursing research, including that of the author; documented observations and theories of psychiatrists and psychologists.


CONCLUSIONS
There are turning points within the cancer trajectory when choices made by persons with cancer and their families may have far reaching consequences in terms of new goals to pursue and new sources of meaning to create.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses can assist by carefully listening to what is important to patients, assisting to clarify values when necessary, and encouraging patients to seek connections with similar others that facilitate finding meaning and healing.
Coward
D D
DD
School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin 78701, USA.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D018939:Holistic Nursing; D006801:Humans; D009013:Morale; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*