Exploring Breast Cancer Survivors’ Attitudes toward Advance Care Planning: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

[ Purpose] This study aimed to explore breast cancer survivors’ attitudes toward advance care planning (ACP).

[ Methods] This study used a qualitative descriptive design. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with breast cancer survivors. The reflexive thematic analysis by Braun et al. was used. Narratives of the survivors’ attitudes toward ACP were coded, and themes and subthemes were generated accordingly.

[ Results] The following three themes were identified based on the survivors’ attitudes toward ACP: “Making sense of ACP for me and my family,” “Hesitation toward ACP despite being interested in ACP,” and “Forming an ideal image of the end-of-life stage including my family members and taking actions I can take now.”

[ Conclusions] The breast cancer survivors considered ACP a part of their pursuit of survivor life and that it may help their family to avoid difficulties and lead a peaceful life. Although the survivors wanted to participate in ACP with their families, they hesitated because they felt it would be difficult and wanted to prioritize peace for themselves and their families. The survivors had an ideal image of end-of-life care based on their values and the burden on their families and wanted to take actions that were feasible.