title: The Role of Self-Management Practices as Mechanisms for Re-Establishing Normality in Cancer Survivors.
abstract: This article explores the relationship between cancer survivors' use of self-management practices and their search for normality. Using Frank's illness narratives and other theoretical literature on normality in chronic illness, it draws on findings from a qualitative study to explore different ways cancer survivors use self-management practices to re-establish normality in their lives post-cancer. The findings suggest that "normality" represents different things to cancer survivors. We suggest that normality in survivorship is not a static concept but is fluid, and at certain times, cancer survivors may display some or all of these different versions of normality. The findings show that self-management practices can help cancer survivors experiment with different health and lifestyle processes to help support their "normal" daily lifestyle activities, quality of life, and well-being.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henshall
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Greenfield
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gale
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D000070497:Healthy Lifestyle; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D000073278:Self-Management / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: United Kingdom; cancer survivorship; chronic illness; normality; qualitative interviews; self-management