title: The lived experience of ovarian cancer: a phenomenological approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the lived experience of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer using individual interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven women who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer within the past five years were interviewed with open-ended guiding questions. The narrative responses were analyzed for constitutive patterns and relational themes according to Diekelmann and Allen's hermeneutic phenomenological process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This phenomenological study gave voice to the women's experience with ovarian cancer. The following six constitutive patterns and associated themes emerged: (a) The Revelation, (b) Jeopardy, (c) On the Lookout, (d) Becoming Normal, and (e) Living Every Moment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An understanding of the common experiences and shared meanings of women with ovarian cancer may contribute to earlier diagnosis and improved quality of life. The women identified symptoms that should generate concern when reported to providers, potentially leading to diagnostic testing. The experiences may also serve to inform the development of interventions aimed at meeting the needs of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA. joanna.guenther@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guenther
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stiles
authors.forename: Jane Dimmitt
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Champion
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult