title: The quality of life of elderly women who underwent radiofrequency ablation to treat breast cancer.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to explore the effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), an investigational treatment for breast cancer, on the quality of life of elderly women. For this descriptive phenomenological study, the authors interviewed 12 White women (aged 60-81 years) 4 months to 1 year after treatment and analyzed these interviews for common themes. They asked questions regarding the lived experience of RFA treatment and its effects on quality of life. Analyses focused on the effects of deciding to have the RFA treatment and the treatment itself. They found quality of life improved because the women felt empowered by (a) their decision to have the procedure, (b) knowing that the procedure might kill the tumor, (c) and feeling that they were contributing to cancer research. The level of support received from the medical team, family and friends, and other cancer survivors also improved participant quality of life.
authors.affiliation: University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Jillian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Lani
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morden
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacMath
authors.forename: Kendra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Massie
authors.forename: Ivo A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Olivotto
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support