TY - JOUR
T1 - Identity reconstruction among older cancer survivors
T2 - Age and meaning in the context of a life-altering illness
AU - Hannum, Susan M.
AU - Clegg Smith, Katherine
AU - Coa, Kisha
AU - Klassen, Ann C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2016/11/1
Y1 - 2016/11/1
N2 - This article evaluates how older cancer patients describe cancer survivorship and incorporate the cancer experience into long-term evaluations of health. From a series of 53 qualitative interviews with adults with histories of breast and prostate cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we analyzed age-related discussions among those 65 and older (n = 21). Emergent themes revealed the: (1) historical conceptualization of cancer, (2) changed perspective following diagnosis, (3) cancer in the context of a long biography, (4) cancer in the context of the aging body and decline, and (5) meaning of time remaining and quality of life. One important suggestion from our work, relevant to all clinicians regardless of specialty or role, is to incorporate goals for the future into individualized survivor care plans for older survivors.
AB - This article evaluates how older cancer patients describe cancer survivorship and incorporate the cancer experience into long-term evaluations of health. From a series of 53 qualitative interviews with adults with histories of breast and prostate cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we analyzed age-related discussions among those 65 and older (n = 21). Emergent themes revealed the: (1) historical conceptualization of cancer, (2) changed perspective following diagnosis, (3) cancer in the context of a long biography, (4) cancer in the context of the aging body and decline, and (5) meaning of time remaining and quality of life. One important suggestion from our work, relevant to all clinicians regardless of specialty or role, is to incorporate goals for the future into individualized survivor care plans for older survivors.
KW - cancer
KW - finitude
KW - life course
KW - older adults
KW - qualitative research
KW - survivorship
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U2 - 10.1080/07347332.2016.1221017
DO - 10.1080/07347332.2016.1221017
M3 - Article
C2 - 27715772
AN - SCOPUS:84991038647
SN - 0734-7332
VL - 34
SP - 477
EP - 492
JO - Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
JF - Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
IS - 6
ER -