Lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer – a qualitative interview study
Background Incurable cancer significantly affects an individual’s life, requiering comprehensive palliative care (PC). With early PC now recommended but poorly integrated, it is essential to address patients’ experiences and concerns to ensure successful early PC integration. Aim: This study aims to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2453296 |
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| author | Johanna Swenne Ricko Damberg Nissen Torben Frøstrup Hansen Lars Henrik Jensen Jens Søndergaard Mette Stie |
| author_facet | Johanna Swenne Ricko Damberg Nissen Torben Frøstrup Hansen Lars Henrik Jensen Jens Søndergaard Mette Stie |
| author_sort | Johanna Swenne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Incurable cancer significantly affects an individual’s life, requiering comprehensive palliative care (PC). With early PC now recommended but poorly integrated, it is essential to address patients’ experiences and concerns to ensure successful early PC integration. Aim: This study aims to investigate the experiences of life in the initial period following a diagnosis of incurable cancer to inform early PC integration. Methodology The study employed a phenomenological hermeneutical framework, drawing inspiration from interpretive descriptive methodology. Thirteen participants diagnosed with incurable cancer were purposively recruited. Data were generated through semi-structured, in-depth interviews exploring patients’ experiences of lived life, their needs and wishes. Data analysis followed an iterative process of constant comparison and thematic development. Results One main theme was identified throughout the analysis: Standing still in the storm. Three sub-themes were identified reflecting varying manifestations innhow doing so, and navigating their challenging circumstances. peace: 1) The urge to take action, 2) Clarity and awakening in the face of reality, and 3) Changed self-perception. As their understanding of their illness deepened, the patients experienced a shift towards reconciliation. Conclusion The experiences of patients living with incurable cancer reveal a complex interplay of psychological, emotional, and existential responses. It is essential that healthcare professionals address existential concerns within clinical care. By acknowledging and supporting patients’ existential struggles, discussions about sensitive topics becomes more natural and better recieved by the patients. . |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a9ebd5b931af408e889239f28c1b83b5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1748-2623 1748-2631 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| spelling | doaj-art-a9ebd5b931af408e889239f28c1b83b52025-02-05T12:46:15ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312025-12-0120110.1080/17482631.2025.24532962453296Lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer – a qualitative interview studyJohanna Swenne0Ricko Damberg Nissen1Torben Frøstrup Hansen2Lars Henrik Jensen3Jens Søndergaard4Mette Stie5University Hospital of Southern DenmarkUniversity of Southern DenmarkUniversity Hospital of Southern DenmarkUniversity Hospital of Southern DenmarkUniversity of Southern DenmarkUniversity Hospital of Southern DenmarkBackground Incurable cancer significantly affects an individual’s life, requiering comprehensive palliative care (PC). With early PC now recommended but poorly integrated, it is essential to address patients’ experiences and concerns to ensure successful early PC integration. Aim: This study aims to investigate the experiences of life in the initial period following a diagnosis of incurable cancer to inform early PC integration. Methodology The study employed a phenomenological hermeneutical framework, drawing inspiration from interpretive descriptive methodology. Thirteen participants diagnosed with incurable cancer were purposively recruited. Data were generated through semi-structured, in-depth interviews exploring patients’ experiences of lived life, their needs and wishes. Data analysis followed an iterative process of constant comparison and thematic development. Results One main theme was identified throughout the analysis: Standing still in the storm. Three sub-themes were identified reflecting varying manifestations innhow doing so, and navigating their challenging circumstances. peace: 1) The urge to take action, 2) Clarity and awakening in the face of reality, and 3) Changed self-perception. As their understanding of their illness deepened, the patients experienced a shift towards reconciliation. Conclusion The experiences of patients living with incurable cancer reveal a complex interplay of psychological, emotional, and existential responses. It is essential that healthcare professionals address existential concerns within clinical care. By acknowledging and supporting patients’ existential struggles, discussions about sensitive topics becomes more natural and better recieved by the patients. .http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2453296existentialismincurable cancerinterpretative descriptionhermeneuticspalliative carephenomenologyqualitative researchquality of life |
| spellingShingle | Johanna Swenne Ricko Damberg Nissen Torben Frøstrup Hansen Lars Henrik Jensen Jens Søndergaard Mette Stie Lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer – a qualitative interview study International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being existentialism incurable cancer interpretative description hermeneutics palliative care phenomenology qualitative research quality of life |
| title | Lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer – a qualitative interview study |
| title_full | Lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer – a qualitative interview study |
| title_fullStr | Lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer – a qualitative interview study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer – a qualitative interview study |
| title_short | Lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer – a qualitative interview study |
| title_sort | lived experiences of life with newly diagnosed advanced cancer a qualitative interview study |
| topic | existentialism incurable cancer interpretative description hermeneutics palliative care phenomenology qualitative research quality of life |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2453296 |
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