title: Cancer patients' effort to return to normal life: a hermeneutic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increasing population of patients with cancer highlights the need to develop an understanding of the patients' lived experiences.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our study was to explore the lived experiences of Iranian patients regarding living with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hermeneutic phenomenological study was performed. Twelve patients with cancer were interviewed to understand their lived experiences. We employed the seven-stage hermeneutical process of data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One constitutive pattern 'cancer patients' effort to return to normal life' and two associated themes, namely 'pass through limitations and challenges' and 'emotional and informational support seeking', were identified. 'Pass through limitations and challenges' had two subcategories: 'acceptance of reality' and 'resist cultural taboos'. 'Emotional and informational support seeking' also had two subcategories: 'family and friends support' and 'healthcare providers support'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings present better understanding of the lived experiences of patients with cancer in Iran regarding the phenomena under the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses have an obligation to educate patients with cancer about anticipated changes in their life.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Nursing, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mardani-Hamooleh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Haydeh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heidari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D066297:Hermeneutics; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: cancer; hermeneutic phenomenology; lived experience; patient