Significance of Dialogue in a Breast Cancer Survivor

A Study from A's Life History

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the changes that dialogue can have on breast cancer survivors. I interviewed a breast cancer survivor in her 50s and participated in the dialogue café. I then described her experience using the life history method. The interview revealed that this cancer survivor had faced a crisis in her life and had been forced to reconsider her way of life but, through the dialogue, she had been able to broaden her thoughts and actions and start a new life. The discussion explores how the dialogue brought about an expansion of thoughts and actions among the participating breast cancer survivors, as well as "forgiveness" for themselves and the changes that had occurred due to cancer. It also suggests that the dialogue café could help breast cancer survivors explore and construct a new way of life.