The meaning of quality of life in cancer survivorship.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the meaning of quality of life (QOL) in long-term cancer survivors, to validate inductively derived QOL themes, and to identify and cluster over-arching themes across long-term cancer survivors.


METHODS
Qualitative study that was part of a larger, cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
687 (57% response) cancer survivors at an average of 6.7 years after diagnosis. In the sample, 81% were female (with a mean age of 49.6 years), 72% were college educated, 63% were married, and 49% worked full time.


METHODS
Mailed survey of three open-ended questions and standard QOL tools. A QOL conceptual model was used to frame the research study, describe the QOL responses of the participants, and explore the meaning of cancer survivorship. Content analysis was used to answer the research questions. Data collection and analysis occurred sequentially. MAIN RESEARCH CONCEPTS: Meaning, QOL cancer survivorship.


RESULTS
25 of 30 inductively derived QOL themes were validated in this study of long-term cancer survivors; 107 additional QOL themes were identified and clustered into 11 over-arching themes across the entire data set. Over-arching themes included struggle between independence-dependence, balance, wholeness, life purpose, reclaiming life, multiple losses, having control, altered meaning of health, and surviving cancer from a family perspective.


CONCLUSIONS
The meaning of QOL in long-term cancer survivors is multifaceted and complex.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can use this broader conception of QOL in breast cancer survivors to help patients prepare for and cope with adjustments.
Dow
K H
KH
School of Nursing, College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA.
Ferrell
B R
BR
Haberman
M R
MR
Eaton
L
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life