中華心理衛生協會

Purpose: We explored the lives of breast cancer survivors using a phenomenological perspective to understand their variable processes of biographical experiences for few of such studies from the insiders' views. Methods: We conducted interviews with 6 breast cancer patients (mean age 44.83) to find out how their lives changed with the illness from their own perspective. Each person was interviewed once or twice; all interviews lasted at least one hour each. Four of them had chosen to have reconstructive surgery after the mastectomy; two had not. We used an interpretative phenomenology method consisting of rereading and analyzing the narratives case by case, and repeatedly comparing the interview transcripts. Results: Four contextual psychological reactions to the illness were identified: the dilemma of breast reconstruction surgery, the issue of control and holding on versus letting go, breast cancer as an interpersonal or relational event rather than an individual or personal encounter, and the impact on daily life. Conclusions: If patients observe and learn about their illness while under the threat of loss, and if they withstand the stigma and work through this loss to normalize their lives, they can take on a greater social purpose and improve their psychological well-being even after being ill.