Women Breast Cancer Survivors: Stories of Change and Meaning

Abstract

Breast cancer research has addressed prevention, early treatment, and quality of life, but research from the perspective of survivors has been limited. This is a qualitative investigation of the experience of eight women breast cancer survivors, ranging in age from 28 to 80 at diagnosis, six of whom were Caucasian and two African American. The research consisted of a phenomenological and case study examination of change and meaning-making during their experience. The findings support a posttraumatic growth model of change as part of survivorship for the participants, as well as the presence of negative changes and a state of new normal in their lives. Recommendations are made for mental health counseling and for future research.