Reneotiating identity: cancer narratives

Mathieson, Cynthia M.; Stam, Henderikus J.

doi:10.1111/1467-9566.ep10933316

Cited by 289 publications

(211 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…It can strain relationships, erode one's sense of self, force unwanted decisions, dash one's sense of certainty and control over the future, and bring one face to face with one's deepest fears, death, and existential angst (58,59). Timeworn and comfortable assumptions no longer work (60), as one must continuously renegotiate one's sense of self in the unfolding emotional and existential challenges from cancer diagnosis through survival or the end of life (61).…”

Section: Addressing Emotional and Existential Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Narrative communication in cancer prevention and control: A framework to guide research and application

et al. 2007

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Narrative forms of communication-including entertainment education, journalism, literature, testimonials, and storytelling-are emerging as important tools for cancer prevention and control. To stimulate critical thinking about the role of narrative in cancer communication and promote a more focused and systematic program of research to understand its effects, we propose a typology of narrative application in cancer control. We assert that narrative has four distinctive capabilities: overcoming resistance, facilitating information processing, providing surrogate social connections, and addressing emotional and existential issues. We further assert that different capabilities are applicable to different outcomes across the cancer control continuum (e.g., prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship). This article describes the empirical evidence and theoretical rationale supporting propositions in the typology, identifies variables likely to moderate narrative effects, raises ethical

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Section: Addressing Emotional and Existential Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Narrative communication in cancer prevention and control: A framework to guide research and application

et al. 2007

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“…The identity of breast cancer survivor can be conceived of as a "tool" (Swidler, 1986) that women use to become a certain kind of person. Given the disfigurement, disruption, and ontological insecurity brought by cancer (Mathieson and Stam, 1995;Nelson, 1996), it makes sense that women would use survivorship to organize the self and life. Furthermore, according to Swidler (2001, p. 73), "Becoming a certain kind of person is learned, practiced, and sustained through culture."…”

Section: Survivorship As a Cultural Tool And Survivorship As Craftworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

The meaning of the survivor identity for women with breast cancer

Kaiser

2008

Social Science & Medicine

228

183

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Abstract"Survivor" has become a ubiquitous and largely unquestioned term in culture and cancer discourse. While anecdotal evidence suggests women with breast cancer find fault with survivor images and discourse, the extent to which women identify with or reject the survivor identity has not been empirically studied. This paper examines whether women treated for breast cancer embrace survivorship. Data come from 39 in-depth interviews with women in the United States who completed treatment for breast cancer 3 to 18 months prior to the interview. Despite the positive meanings attached to survivorship, many women altered the meaning of survivorship or rejected survivorship. In particular, the survivor discourse alienated women who struggle with the threat of recurrence, who feel their cancer experience was not severe enough to merit this title, or who desire a private disease experience. These findings illustrate the failure of our cultural conceptions of cancer to adequately reflect lived experience and highlight how individuals actively "craft" illness meanings."I woke up, still alive. Does that mean 'cured'?" Marilyn Hacker, 1994 (cited in Bahar, 2003

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“…The interviews lasted an average of 50 minutes. An interview schedule developed from previous research (De Morgan et al, 2002;Carrera, 2000;Mathieson and Stam, 1995) guided the interviews. The acceptability and suitability of the schedule was established by two key informants who had previously been treated for DCIS.…”

Section: Interviewsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The challenge of being diagnosed and treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

Kennedy¹,

Harcourt²,

Rumsey³

2008

European Journal of Oncology Nursing

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Following the introduction of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) in the UK increasing numbers of women are diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In DCIS, the cancer cells are confined to the ducts of the breast but considerable uncertainty surrounds the condition. Patients are often reassured that it is non-invasive and not life-threatening but they are recommended similar treatments to patients with invasive breast cancer. Little research has investigated the psychosocial impact of DCIS; therefore the aim of this qualitative study was to explore women's experiences of the condition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 16 women previously diagnosed and treated for DCIS. Thematic analysis identified six key themes: 1) Invisibility of DCIS, 2) Uncertainty, 3)Perceptions of DCIS, 4) Acceptance of Treatment, 5) Social Support and 6) Moving On.The results highlight the substantial challenges faced by women diagnosed with DCIS.These findings have clear significance for healthcare professionals, especially specialist nurses, who work closely with DCIS patients.

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Reneotiating identity: cancer narratives

Cited by 289 publications

References 54 publications

Narrative communication in cancer prevention and control: A framework to guide research and application

Narrative communication in cancer prevention and control: A framework to guide research and application

The meaning of the survivor identity for women with breast cancer

The challenge of being diagnosed and treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

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