Journal of Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand and explain the meaning of experiences of cancer patients at the late stage. One of the authors gathered data through her experiences through nursing of 4 cancer patients for 5 months. Each patient was hospitalized and at the late stage of the disease. The data were analyzed using qualitative analysis technique : KJ Method.

From an analysis of the data, we withdrew 8 themes that concerned the patients' consciousness : perception of the seriousness of the disease, desire to stay alive, hope for a better life, confidence in survial, uncertainty of the condition, need of support from others, sensitivity to their surroundings, and reconciliation. We found that despite the increasing prostration and suffering of these patients, they continued to show their a strong urge to live. During this time, they needed physical and psychosocial support from others.

These finding suggested that it is necessary to provide comprehensive nursing care cancer patients at the late stage ; nurses should recognize their will to live ; and at the same time they should be able to help them come to terms with their condition or ultimate death.

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