title: 'Cancer changes everything!' Exploring the lived experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to further explore the lived experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), to inform the development of interventions to enhance survivorship care for women with advanced disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four semi-structured focus groups were conducted with women with MBC. The data was analysed using qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants described the challenges of living with uncertainty, as a result of a lack of information regarding treatment options and symptom management, and a sense of the unknown related to prognosis and survival. Of major concern were changes in role functioning, altered relationships, and self-image.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with metastatic breast cancer must cope with dramatic changes in all aspects of their lives. Clinicians should tailor survivorship care and evidence-based interventions to individuals' concerns with changes in role functioning, fatigue, relationships, and self-image. A multidisciplinary approach should be used to address practical and existential concerns focused on improving quality of life.
authors: Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Kansas Medical Center, and Behavioral Therapist, Midwest Cancer Alliance, Suite 1100, 4350 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, Kansas 66205, USA.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Krigel
authors: Jamie
authors: J
authors: Myers
authors: Christie
authors: C
authors: Befort
authors: Hope
authors: H
authors: Krebill
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Klemp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D035501:Uncertainty
keywords: Metastatic breast cancer; Psychosocial; Quality of life