Surviving, an exploration of the residual effects of conquering cancer

grantor: University of TorontoThere has been very little systematic investigation of the long-term effects of the cancer experience. Data produced from the medical mainstream derives from the implicit but pervasive theory that recovery and survival are a function of surgery and/or treatment, and although these advances clearly facilitate healing, this study reveals that recuperation is very much a function of an individual's ability to accept and integrate the many transformations that come with living with cancer. In order to gain further insight into the residual effects of conquering cancer, this thesis explored the needs and concerns of six cancer survivors. A qualitative methodology was selected, and data were gathered via open-ended, in-depth interviews with each participant. The interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed in order to identify trends regarding survivor's experiences. The research indicated that by continually appraising the meaning of their disease as it related to every aspect of life, the participants in this study experienced varying degrees of Authentic Transformational Integration (ATI). ATI defines a theory that describes a phenomenon which occurred for every research participant enabling him or her to cope more effectively with remission.M.A