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Identifying bone sarcoma survivors facing psychosocial challenges. A study of trajectories following treatment
Author(s) -
Fauske Lena,
Bondevik Hilde,
Ahlberg Karin,
Bjørndal Arild
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.13119
Subject(s) - psychosocial , medicine , thematic analysis , focus group , sarcoma , qualitative research , rehabilitation , survivorship curve , bone sarcoma , cancer treatment , health professionals , cancer , physical therapy , gerontology , health care , psychiatry , pathology , social science , marketing , sociology , business , economic growth , economics
Objective Bone sarcoma survivors face a number of physical and psychosocial challenges in relation to the late effects they experience following treatment. The present study aimed to identify and explore the different trajectories that bone sarcoma survivors might navigate during follow‐up. Methods In‐depth and semi‐structured interviews were conducted, and an inductive thematic analysis was performed. Results When they were interviewed three to ten years after the primary diagnosis, the eighteen bone cancer survivors were found to be in three different rehabilitation phases that followed fairly distinct trajectories, namely, back to normal , a new normal and still struggling . Only three participants felt that they had returned to a life that was quite similar to the one they had lived prior to having cancer. Fifteen participants considered their lives and their bodies to be significantly altered. Conclusion Sarcoma survivors who undergo life‐changing treatment and return to very different lives than they had before should be identified by healthcare professionals and guided through this demanding phase to better cope with their new living conditions. Information on and tailored guidance related to psychosocial challenges may be of particular importance. Active focus on reorientation, as well as possibilities for growth, seems to be important.