title: Existential challenges in young people living with a cancer diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Sweden, approximately 500 people between the ages of 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year. When someone is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, existential issues are easily triggered. Young adults are in a developmental phase of life and are exposed to an extra amount of pressure. The Internet and social media are a daily part of the life of young adults and the use of blogs is common. The aim of this study was to elucidate the theoretical framework of Yalom and his four 'givens' expressed in blogs written by young adults living with various cancer diagnoses in Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a qualitative method in which written stories from six public blogs were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings offer valuable in-depth knowledge about the existential issues in this population. The results can be described as a journey with several existential challenges and with death as an impending threat. The bloggers' awareness of their mortality was described as creating a sense of loss and existential loneliness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that young adults are empowered by the writing of blogs and that blogs can play an important part in increasing wellbeing and a sense of coherence within this population.
authors.affiliation: Home Care, Götene County, 533 74 Hällekis, Sweden. Electronic address: ida.odh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Odh
authors.affiliation: Infection Ward, Skaraborgs Hospital, 541 85 Skövde, Sweden. Electronic address: martina.lofving@vgregion.se.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Löfving
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Skaraborgs Hospital, 541 85 Skövde, Sweden; Department of Health and Learning, University of Skövde, 541 28 Skövde, Sweden. Electronic address: kicki.klaeson@his.se.
authors.forename: Kicki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klaeson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057218:Blogging; D005086:Existentialism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cancer; Existential needs; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Young people