AStudy on Selected Aspects of the Quality of Life of People in Remission after Cancer Treatment with the use of the Individual in-depth Interview Technique

In: Clinical Social Work, Band 12, Heft 4, S. 31-40

Abstract

Background: Acharacteristic feature of cancer is, among other things, that even after successful oncological treatment, the patient cannot close this chapter of life and the experience of being acancer patient. In oncology there is no unambiguous definition of apatient as ahealthy person. Methods: The study covered agroup of 20 people. In the con- ducted tests the diagnostic survey method was introduced. The technique of individual in-depth interviews was used. The re- spondent could fully express his or her own feelings, emotions, thoughts and experiences. Results. The respondents stated that positive emotions ap- peared with the completion of treatment, but indicated that the feelings were not related to the sense of healing but only to the completion of tiring therapeutic procedures. Some respondents complained about the feeling of chronic fatigue. Fatigue was not only related to the physical sphere, although everyone con- firmed that the side effects of the therapy persisted for some time. The respondents paid more attention to mental fatigue, which had various forms, e.g.: anxiety about possible relapse; functional losses; feeling of loss caused by radical treatment. Out of 20 respondents, 4 persons indicated aloss of health, es- pecially the sense of joy and happiness, self-esteem, self-con- fidence, social contacts, family and time. Conclusions: The research group consisted of 20 respondents, which limits the possibility of formulating generalized con- clusions, but indicates various directions of possible improve- ment and, most importantly, shows how the thinking about can- cer can be changed.