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Alcohol abuse in cancer patients: a shadow side in the oncological field and research.

Glasdam, Stinne LU and Oye, Christine (2014) In Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 17(3). p.437-446
Abstract
This article aims to foreground alcohol abuse by cancer patients and explore how alcohol abuse functions as a biographic master motive and at the same time is a shadow side in the oncological field and research. The research is based on a single case study which draws on empirical material from interviews, field notes and staff policy, with analysis using Bourdieu's concepts of trajectory of life and habitus. The findings show that the cancer patient's alcohol abuse is an important part of the trajectory of his private life and spare time. In social life with family and friends alcohol is given and normal and acts as a socialisator. Alcohol abuse provides both stability and instability in the cancer patient's life. When cancer results in... (More)
This article aims to foreground alcohol abuse by cancer patients and explore how alcohol abuse functions as a biographic master motive and at the same time is a shadow side in the oncological field and research. The research is based on a single case study which draws on empirical material from interviews, field notes and staff policy, with analysis using Bourdieu's concepts of trajectory of life and habitus. The findings show that the cancer patient's alcohol abuse is an important part of the trajectory of his private life and spare time. In social life with family and friends alcohol is given and normal and acts as a socialisator. Alcohol abuse provides both stability and instability in the cancer patient's life. When cancer results in work breaks and retirement, and spare time often is used as drinking time, then all daily life becomes drinking time for the cancer patient. Alcohol is often a hidden abuse at the working place and in the oncological field. In meetings with healthcare professionals, the patient chooses not to speak about his alcohol abuse to avoid further medicalisation. The challenge for the healthcare professionals is to see and accept alcohol abusers with cancer and their social lives without always trying to change their 'unhealthy' lifestyles. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy
volume
17
issue
3
pages
437 - 446
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • pmid:24368516
  • wos:000338833700013
  • scopus:84903907217
  • pmid:24368516
ISSN
1572-8633
DOI
10.1007/s11019-013-9541-x
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
a03c5585-06af-4a6b-b4e1-0806688fc34c (old id 4223016)
alternative location
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11019-013-9541-x
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 10:48:26
date last changed
2022-02-02 21:12:11
@article{a03c5585-06af-4a6b-b4e1-0806688fc34c,
  abstract     = {{This article aims to foreground alcohol abuse by cancer patients and explore how alcohol abuse functions as a biographic master motive and at the same time is a shadow side in the oncological field and research. The research is based on a single case study which draws on empirical material from interviews, field notes and staff policy, with analysis using Bourdieu's concepts of trajectory of life and habitus. The findings show that the cancer patient's alcohol abuse is an important part of the trajectory of his private life and spare time. In social life with family and friends alcohol is given and normal and acts as a socialisator. Alcohol abuse provides both stability and instability in the cancer patient's life. When cancer results in work breaks and retirement, and spare time often is used as drinking time, then all daily life becomes drinking time for the cancer patient. Alcohol is often a hidden abuse at the working place and in the oncological field. In meetings with healthcare professionals, the patient chooses not to speak about his alcohol abuse to avoid further medicalisation. The challenge for the healthcare professionals is to see and accept alcohol abusers with cancer and their social lives without always trying to change their 'unhealthy' lifestyles.}},
  author       = {{Glasdam, Stinne and Oye, Christine}},
  issn         = {{1572-8633}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{437--446}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy}},
  title        = {{Alcohol abuse in cancer patients: a shadow side in the oncological field and research.}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/6563382/8260266.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s11019-013-9541-x}},
  volume       = {{17}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}