Background: One of nine women will at some point in life be treated for breast cancer. When a woman receives a cancer diagnosis, it can be a trigger of a life crisis, which manifests itself in different phases: shock phase, reaction phase, processing phase and reorientation phase. Breast cancer affects the women's lifeworld and create suffering. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe women's experiences of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Method: This is a literature-based study of twelve qualitative articles. The articles was analyzed according to a qualitative content analysis of Graneheim and Lundman (2004). Results: The findings of this study were that women with a newly-diagnosed breast cancer went through a life crisis while diagnosed. Three themes emerged; 1: 'To receive the diagnosis of breast cancer'. Subthemes that emerged in this theme was; 'To be in shock', 'Fear of the disease progress and its consequences', and 'Uncertainty about the future'. 2: 'Strategies to master the new life situation'. Subthemes was; 'Activities to manage everyday life', 'Trust in spirituality' and 'To accept the diagnosis'. 3: 'The inherent meaning of support'. Subthemes was; 'The importance of health professionals supportive and informative role' and 'The significance of family and friend's support'. Conclusion: Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is manifested as multifaceted and had a great impact on women's lives. Spirituality had a great significance for women's life-world. How the diagnosis was received, was highly individual.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hv-9081 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Bergh Johnsen, Nathalie, Rosander, Emelie |
| Publisher | Högskolan Väst, Avdelningen för omvårdnad - grundnivå, Högskolan Väst, Avdelningen för omvårdnad - grundnivå |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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