Using narrative research to understand the quality of life of older women with breast cancer
To elucidate some of the issues that affect the quality of life of older women (70 years of age and older) diagnosed with breast cancer.



Descriptive design



A National Cancer Institute-designated site in the southeastern United States.



12 women who were at least 70 years of age undergoing treatment (radiation, hormonal, or chemotherapy) for breast cancer.



Two to three interview encounters per participant, each lasting approximately one hour.



Eight major themes emerged: Importance of God, Positive Attitude, No Alteration in Lifestyle, Physician Trust, Caregiver to Others, Importance of Health, Importance of Family, and Alteration in Lifestyle.



The eight major themes are similar in terminology but varied in individual meanings.



Nurses must determine whether older women with a diagnosis of breast cancer are also primary caregivers to other individuals. As the story-gatherers for the healthcare team, nurses can use the data derived from interviews to document patients' health histories and provide a therapeutic process of coping with illness.
Overcash
Janine A
JA
0000-0002-0717-5263
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. jovercas@hsc.usf.edu
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D033262:Narration; D011788:Quality of Life