Lived experiences of women with recurring ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
Women with recurring ovarian cancer are living longer, due to advances in treatment options. They are now often outpatients, experiencing rapid encounters on treatment days. Whether this shift in care meets women's needs has been scarcely explored scientifically.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to illuminate the phenomenon of living with recurring ovarian cancer as experienced by women in that condition.


METHODS
A descriptive phenomenological method was used. Eight open-ended interviews with four women were performed approximately three and five years after the first recurrence of ovarian cancer. During these years the women had repeated clinically and radiologically verified recurrence requiring chemotherapy.


RESULTS
The phenomenon of living with recurring ovarian cancer meant that the women felt forced to pay attention to the failing body in order to avoid a potential breakdown. The growing limitation of their intermittent strength meant that strength had to be captured and protected. Sharing their lives with others was difficult, due to the different living conditions. The women found no space to mediate their experiences, either in close relationships or with health care professionals. But, the circumstances they lived under also generated a gratitude for the unexpected extra time.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings revealed that the four women were grateful to live a while longer, but needed to share their state of being. The findings are indeed directed to health care professionals, who need to provide a more patient-centred care to meet the women's needs.
School of Health and Medical Science, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. Electronic address: eva.ekwall@telia.com.
Eva
E
Ekwall
Department of Palliative Care Research, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Research and Development Department, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden.
Britt-Marie
BM
Ternestedt
Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden; School of Health and Medical Science, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Bengt
B
Sorbe
School of Health and Medical Science, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Neurological Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
Helena
H
Sunvisson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012803:Sick Role; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013548:Sweden; D016387:Women's Health
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
Outpatient chemotherapy; Phenomenology; Recurring ovarian cancer