Psychological transformation in survivors of terminal cancer

The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of transformation in surviving terminal cancer. An existential-phenomenological approach was used to interview five participants who had lived at least five years beyond the diagnosis of widely metastatic or terminal cancer. Review of the literature which addressed the issue of transformation suggested that life-threatening illness is an opportunity for growth. There are many cross-cultural accounts of transformation, and many studies of survivorship qualities, but little research into the transformation process as it is experienced by cancer survivors. Participants told the story of their recovery from cancer and how it changed their lives. Cochran's (1986) dramaturgical approach provided the model for capturing the meaning of this experience in story form. Each interview lasted from 2½to 5 hours. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Analysis of the interviews followed Colaizzi's (1978) method. Significant statements were extracted from the protocols, themes were formulated, and a description of the experience was written. Other sources of data were used in addition to interviews. An autobiography and a series of articles were collected from two participants. This written material was analyzed in the same way as the interviews. The experience of the researcher also served as data, and was analyzed through reflective and descriptive methods. Conducting interviews, soliciting written descriptions and including the researcher's experience allowed the data to be more broadly supported. Results of the study were validated by the participants in a second interview. They confirmed that the 38 themes and the common pattern of transformation derived from the five participants accurately reflected their own experience. The results indicated that psychological transformation in survivors of terminal cancer is a spiritual journey. In allowing a life-threatening disease to become an opportunity for personal awareness and growth, people can transform their illness into a spiritual teaching. Serious illness can teach people about the meaning of life., and give their own lives purpose and direction. Through this affirmation of life, and by following their purpose and path, healing can occur. This healing not only moves people toward wholeness, but it holds the potential for transforming and healing the problems of others. This pattern of transformation has practical implications for the nature of support useful for people experiencing a health crisis, and has implications for the designing of effective psychosocial support for cancer patients.Education, Faculty ofEducational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department ofGraduat