In Your Skin You are Different: Women Living with Ovarian Cancer During Childbearing Years

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand what it is like to live with ovarian cancer during childbearing years. The primary researcher (PR) conducted three to four in-depth interviews, lasting 60 to 90 minutes each, with five women living with ovarian cancer for 1 to 10 years. Van Manen's method of reflection and writing guided the inquiry. The process of existential investigation expanded the inquiry. Trustworthiness was assured through member checking, reflective journaling, coinvestigators checking the logic of the PR's analysis, and the achievement of consensus through dialogue. Analysis of the data revealed the themes of serendipitous diagnosis, managing treatment, horrible hair experience, hysterectomy violating one's sense of being, unfairness of menopause, body changes, intimate dreaming, being with others, being normal/different, being vigilant, being heard, and trying to make sense of it. The stories revealed provide us with a window into the experience of women with ovarian cancer.

The experiences, needs and concerns of younger women with breast cancer: a meta‐ethnography

“…Young males who had received treatment for testicular cancer identified a range of comparable issues, such as fertility, physical and emotional challenges and other assaults on their sense of self [41,42]. Similarly, ovarian cancer may impact on body image and reproductive concerns [43]. Our model may also be relevant to younger people living with other cancers, but this would need further testing.…”

Issues and concerns of young Australian women with breast cancer

“…Previous research generally defined the study group on the basis of menopausal or childbearing status [6,16,30,32,33], thereby including more women between 40 and 50 years of age when breast cancer is more common. In contrast, this study focused specifically on those aged 40 years or younger at diagnosis to clarify the issues and concerns important to these women, namely, the greatest general concern for young women with breast cancer (opinions), major personal concerns (experiences) and greatest unmet needs.…”

Le vécu du cancer ovarien: les perspectives des femmes sur le traitement et la prise de décision thérapeutique

“…Le carboplatine est généralement mieux toléré, mais son utilisation est limitée par des niveaux de toxicité menant à la thrombocytopénie (Miller, 1999). Des études ont bien décrit l'incidence et la prévalence des effets secondaires (Portenoy et al), mais peu d'auteurs se sont intéressés à la description des perspectives des femmes confrontées à un traitement pour le cancer ovarien (Schaefer, Ladd, Lammers et Echenberg, 1999). Une meilleure compréhension des expériences des femmes aiderait à approfondir les connaissances actuelles en matière d'interventions bénéfiques.…”