Living with gynecologic cancer: experience of women and their partners.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experiences of Turkish women with gynecologic cancer and their partners.


METHODS
Qualitative research using a descriptive phenomenological approach.


METHODS
Gynecologic oncology outpatient clinic of the Gulhane Military Medical Academy in Ankara, Turkey. Nineteen women with gynecologic cancer aged 43-70 years and 12 partners aged 46-73 years were recruited. Data were obtained through open-ended and in-depth, audio-taped interviews which lasted approximately 35-45 minutes each.


RESULTS
Seven themes emerged from the participants' description of their experience: (a) experiences during the diagnosis period; (b) experiences during the treatment period; (c) the effect of cancer on family life; (d) changes in daily life; (e) coping methods and support sources; (f) the meaning of illness; and (g) experiencing the illness as a woman.


CONCLUSIONS
Receiving the diagnosis of gynecologic cancer was remembered as a very dramatic experience. The women and partners reported many physical and psychosocial difficulties relating to the treatment period. Healthcare professionals must understand and recognize cancer patients' and their partners' experiences to provide appropriate holistic care.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can only provide effective and comprehensive nursing care to gynecologic cancer patients and their families if they fully understand the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual experiences in their lives.
Obstetric Gynecologic Nursing Department, School of Nursing Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. aygulakyuz@yahoo.com
Aygül
A
Akyüz
Gülten
G
Güvenç
Ayfer
A
Ustünsöz
Tülay
T
Kaya
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*