Being given a cancer diagnosis in old age: A phenomenological study.
(2008) In International Journal of Nursing Studies 45(3). p.393-405- Abstract
- Objectives
The aim of the study was to illuminate the lived experience of being given a cancer diagnosis in old age.
Background
Little research has been done on the experience of elderly people developing cancer and the impact of the illness on their lives. Such knowledge is needed to support elderly people in dealing with issues arising after cancer is diagnosed.
Design
A descriptive phenomenological method was used to investigate the phenomenon “the lived experience of being given a cancer diagnosis in old age”.
Participants
In total, 16 persons (aged 65+, mean age 76, range 68–83) with cancer were interviewed, all referred to the same... (More) - Objectives
The aim of the study was to illuminate the lived experience of being given a cancer diagnosis in old age.
Background
Little research has been done on the experience of elderly people developing cancer and the impact of the illness on their lives. Such knowledge is needed to support elderly people in dealing with issues arising after cancer is diagnosed.
Design
A descriptive phenomenological method was used to investigate the phenomenon “the lived experience of being given a cancer diagnosis in old age”.
Participants
In total, 16 persons (aged 65+, mean age 76, range 68–83) with cancer were interviewed, all referred to the same oncology outpatient clinic in Copenhagen County.
Method
Open-ended interviews were used to get a clear understanding of the experience of a cancer diagnosis in old age. Giorgi's phenomenological analysis was used.
Findings
The findings showed that the essential meaning of the lived experience was “Illness as a turning point marking old age”. This main essence was represented overall by three essences: “Illness means losing control”, “Disturbing the family balance” and “Life and death suddenly apparent”. These three essences were manifested through seven constituents: growing old in the context of illness, becoming a patient with cancer, everyday life being controlled by bodily limitations, managing family reactions, becoming conscious about dying and death through illness experience and retaining hope, and enjoying life.
Conclusion
It is important in clinical practice, to identify the specific meaning the turning point has for an elderly person with cancer, and to understand the particular approach he or she uses to handle the awareness of being old. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/163992
- author
- Esbensen, Bente Appel LU ; Swane, Christine E ; Rahm Hallberg, Ingalill LU and Thomé, Bibbi LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2008
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Nursing care, Phenomenology, Giorgi, Cancer, Elderly, Lived experience
- in
- International Journal of Nursing Studies
- volume
- 45
- issue
- 3
- pages
- 393 - 405
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- wos:000254142400009
- scopus:38749119337
- pmid:17169361
- ISSN
- 1873-491X
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2006.09.004
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Division of Gerontology and Caring Sciences (Closed 2012) (013220200), Division of Nursing (Closed 2012) (013065000), Caring Sciences (Closed 2012) (016514020)
- id
- 1db9a5b1-1c3d-4944-ab98-b9c3af217717 (old id 163992)
- alternative location
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17169361&dopt=Abstract
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 11:47:01
- date last changed
- 2022-01-26 18:07:59
@article{1db9a5b1-1c3d-4944-ab98-b9c3af217717,
abstract = {{Objectives<br/><br>
<br/><br>
The aim of the study was to illuminate the lived experience of being given a cancer diagnosis in old age.<br/><br>
Background<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Little research has been done on the experience of elderly people developing cancer and the impact of the illness on their lives. Such knowledge is needed to support elderly people in dealing with issues arising after cancer is diagnosed.<br/><br>
Design<br/><br>
<br/><br>
A descriptive phenomenological method was used to investigate the phenomenon “the lived experience of being given a cancer diagnosis in old age”.<br/><br>
Participants<br/><br>
<br/><br>
In total, 16 persons (aged 65+, mean age 76, range 68–83) with cancer were interviewed, all referred to the same oncology outpatient clinic in Copenhagen County.<br/><br>
Method<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Open-ended interviews were used to get a clear understanding of the experience of a cancer diagnosis in old age. Giorgi's phenomenological analysis was used.<br/><br>
Findings<br/><br>
<br/><br>
The findings showed that the essential meaning of the lived experience was “Illness as a turning point marking old age”. This main essence was represented overall by three essences: “Illness means losing control”, “Disturbing the family balance” and “Life and death suddenly apparent”. These three essences were manifested through seven constituents: growing old in the context of illness, becoming a patient with cancer, everyday life being controlled by bodily limitations, managing family reactions, becoming conscious about dying and death through illness experience and retaining hope, and enjoying life.<br/><br>
Conclusion<br/><br>
<br/><br>
It is important in clinical practice, to identify the specific meaning the turning point has for an elderly person with cancer, and to understand the particular approach he or she uses to handle the awareness of being old.}},
author = {{Esbensen, Bente Appel and Swane, Christine E and Rahm Hallberg, Ingalill and Thomé, Bibbi}},
issn = {{1873-491X}},
keywords = {{Nursing care; Phenomenology; Giorgi; Cancer; Elderly; Lived experience}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{3}},
pages = {{393--405}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{International Journal of Nursing Studies}},
title = {{Being given a cancer diagnosis in old age: A phenomenological study.}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2006.09.004}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2006.09.004}},
volume = {{45}},
year = {{2008}},
}