Breast Cancer Survivorship—Intersecting Gendered Discourses in a 5-Year Follow-Up Study

Abstract

In this article the authors present a follow-up study of women's interview narratives about life 5 to 7 years after a breast cancer operation. The women had taken part in a study during the 6-month postoperation period. Art therapy contributed to well-being, including strengthening personal boundaries. In the new study, interview analysis informed by critical discursive psychology indicated three problematic discourses that the women still struggled with several years after the operation: the female survivor, the "good woman," and individual responsibility. We concluded that many women with a history of breast cancer need support several years after their medical treatment is finished.

Exploring Gender-Related Experiences of Cancer Survivors Through Creative Arts: A Scoping Review

“…Within a number of the studies, the authors describe participants’ engagement in arts-based practices as a way to foster reflection on the effects of cancer on their sense of self. Across six studies, a variety of visual arts practices were used to facilitate this reflection, such as photography, painting, modeling, and body casting (Norberg et al, 2015; Öster, Åström, Lindh, & Magnusson, 2009; Öster, Magnusson, Thyme, Lindh, & Åström, 2007; Perdikis, Fakhre, Speed, & Griggs, 2011; Regehr, 2012; Sabo & Thibeault, 2012). For example, in a study from Sweden exploring visual art therapy in 20 breast cancer survivors, the authors state, “Many women said that the pictures gave them opportunities to see things from new perspectives” (Öster et al, 2009, p. 32).…”

“…At the beginning of one study (Öster et al, 2007), breast cancer survivors were reportedly compelled to follow expected gender roles of adopting primary family responsibilities, despite the additional challenges this would create in having their own needs met. In a longitudinal study by Norberg et al (2015) that used art therapy with breast cancer survivors, the authors highlight three common gender discourses that participants in their study evoked: (a) “the female survivor” who experienced challenges yet used breast cancer as a learning opportunity, (b) “the good woman” that illustrated archetypes women felt they must conform to, and (c) “personal responsibility” to make one’s own decision. Within this study, the authors indicated that living with cancer was not found to exempt women from standard gender roles but rather participants viewed these as an additional layer of expectation.…”

“…The authors note that this space is not always available in the medium of everyday language because expressions of emotion and vulnerability are often discouraged in men’s discourse. This process of feedback and support was noted by Norberg et al (2015) as being important for participants who are considered long-term survivors (i.e., more than 5 years after diagnosis) to deal with the “changing perspectives of life” and moving along their cancer experiences.…”

“…It appears the authors who reported safe spaces in the context of arts-based practices concluded that it helped enable participants to actively resist dominant gender experiences and discourses surrounding the expectations of gender in cancer survivors (Norberg et al, 2015; Öster et al, 2009; Regehr, 2012). Given that it is difficult to create a new identity after cancer, it is plausible that individuals are not ready to resist challenges to gender until they feel they have experienced a supportive environment.…”

In the Shadows of Cancer. Leisure and Subjective Wellbeing of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Patients in Honduras, Nicaragua and Portugal

“…Nevertheless, evidence shows that leisure engagement can serve as an alternative strategy to promote the SWB of cancer patients. Art therapy, for instance, has proven to be helpful in the reduction of negative effects of cancer such as pain, insomnia, loss of social roles, activity restriction and altered social relationships [25][26][27][28][29]. Women that are involved in visual art therapy refer that this activity gives them the possibility to express their feelings in a symbolical way, increase their self-worth, define themselves beyond the role of being a cancer victim and regain the feelings of achievement and capacity [3].…”