title: Reconceptualizing cancer survivorship through veterans' lived experiences.
abstract: This study assessed the biopsychosocial impact of cancer on Veteran older adult survivors by garnering their accounts of their illness experiences. A narrative analysis of 73 cancer diagnosis and treatment stories reveals five “paths&rdquo; Veterans are taking 18 months postdiagnosis. These paths indicate that cancer survivorship cannot be conceptualized as a one-size-fits-all experience but rather is a process of Veterans understanding and making sense of the effects of cancer on their lives. Our future goal is to develop a screening tool to help clinicians identify a patient's “path" to tailor survivorship care to meet specific needs.
authors.affiliation: a Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Health Services Research & Development , Houston , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Lindsey Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moye
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Street
authors.forename: Aanand D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Naik
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Veterans; cancer care; cancer survivorship; illness narratives; older adults; qualitative; quality of life