title: The shifting nature of women's experiences and perceptions of ductal carcinoma in situ.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a descriptive qualitative study of the evolution of women's perceptions and experiences of ductal carcinoma in situ from the period near to diagnosis to 1 year later.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Ductal carcinoma in situ is a non-invasive breast condition where cancer cells are detected but confined to the ducts of the breast. With treatment, the condition has a positive prognosis but ironically patients undergo treatment similar to that for invasive breast cancer. There is a lack of longitudinal qualitative research studying women's experiences of ductal carcinoma in situ, especially among newly diagnosed patients, and how experiences change over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five women took part in an initial interview following a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ and 27 took part in a follow-up interview 9-13 months later. Data were collected between January 2007 and October 2008. Transcripts were analysed using a hybrid approach to thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women's early perceptions of ductal carcinoma in situ merged and sometimes conflicted with their lay beliefs of breast cancer. Perceptions and experiences of the condition shifted over time. These overriding aspects were evident in four themes identified across the interviews: (i) perceptions of ductal carcinoma in situ vs. breast cancer, (ii) from paradox to acceptance, (iii) personal impact, and (iv) support and interactions with others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study represents one of the few longitudinal qualitative studies with newly diagnosed patients, capturing women's initial and shifting experiences and perceptions of the condition. The issues identified need to be recognized in clinical practice and supported appropriately.
authors.affiliation: Sheffield Hallam University, UK. f.kennedy@shu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harcourt
authors.forename: Nichola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rumsey
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015399:Nursing Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom