Journal of Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing
Online ISSN : 2189-7565
Print ISSN : 0914-6423
ISSN-L : 0914-6423
Research Repor
Recognition and Coping Behaviors of Breast Cancer Patients’ Spouses from the Diagnosis to Completion of the Initial Treatment
Yoshie SugawaraKazue Mori
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2012 Volume 26 Issue 3 Pages 34-43

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Abstract

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the recognition and coping behavior of spouses of breast cancer patients, from the time of cancer diagnosis to the completion of initial treatment. We conducted semi─structured interviews with 6 husbands whose wives had received a diagnosis of breast cancer and undergone initial treatment. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a content analysis approach to examine the husbands’ recognition and coping behavior. The study was conducted with the approval of the research ethics committees at our affiliations. As a result, 8 categories were extracted in relation to the husbands’ recognition during the period from diagnosis to the completion of initial treatment. These categories included:‘being shocked at the wife’s breast cancer diagnosis, which was unexpected’, ‘not taking the diagnosis too seriously if the wife’s breast cancer is in an early, treatable stage’, ‘being aware of the possibility that breast cancer could recur or metastasize, thereby requiring professional treatment’, ‘realizing that their emotions are affected by the wife’s condition’, and ‘finding it difficult to talk about breast cancer and associated health issues specific to women’. As for coping behavior, 4 categories were extracted. Among them were:‘collecting information on breast cancer and related topics’ and ‘making efforts to ease the wife’s mind’. The findings showed that the husbands of breast cancer patients watched over their wife and were careful not to disturb or provoke her, while feeling confused when faced not only with changes in their wife because of cancer and its treatment, but also with difficulties in understanding the wife’s feelings and situation. Husbands considered it their role to be there for their wife, and looked at possible ways to support her. This suggests the need to provide nursing assistance to help husbands enhance their ability to support their wife with breast cancer.

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2012 Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing
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