Cancer Survivors’ Requests for Cancer Salons during the Coronavirus Pandemic: From the Narrative of a Person Who Experienced the Suspension of a Cancer Salon

Abstract

Nine cancer survivors who had experienced the suspension of cancer salon activities due to the Coronavirus Pandemic were interviewed about their desires for a cancer salon, and five categories were extracted. The following were identified: [I want a place where I can feel safe to be myself and exchange information] [Desire to have a medical professional with expertise stationed] [I want to meet other cancer survivors in person and feel their experiences close to me] [It is difficult to empathize and communicate with each other remotely, and it leaves me with a sense of inadequacy] [I want a place where I can make use of my cancer experience]. Even in a social situation where face-to-face interaction is difficult, we found that there is a desire to continue interaction with cancer survivors at cancer salons, not only for information gathering and chatting, but also because they feel it is worthwhile to live. It was suggested that it is important for cancer salon organizers to devise ways to continue cancer salons without suspending them, such as infection control measures and holding them remotely, so that participants can freely interact and empathize with each other.