Survivor in the cancer context: a concept analysis

Abstract

This contributes to the paradigm shift of cancer as a chronic disease as it establishes the unique nature of the cancer experience while highlighting the long-term concerns related to this set of diseases. The Theory of Uncertainty in Illness provides a framework to understand the individualized nature of being a cancer survivor. Nursing research and practice should address the personal experiences of cancer survivors while still focusing on general survivorship needs.

Survivorship care for postmenopausal breast cancer patients in Ireland: What do women want ?

“…Cancer survivorship presents a paradigm shift from a lifethreatening to chronic illness, which fits with Mishel's theory of uncertainty in illness (Hebdon et al, 2015). Women in this study continued to experience many troublesome symptoms.…”

Shared mental models of cancer survivorship care

“…Consistent with a study performed by Khan, Harrison, Rose, Ward and Evans (), cancer survivors noted a lack of identification with the term survivor. The uniqueness of the cancer experience for each individual has also been echoed in a concept analysis of the term “survivor” in the cancer context (Hebdon, Foli, & McComb, ), while discussions in the literature question the appropriateness of the term “survivor” due to the social connotations attached to this term (Bell & Ristovski‐Slijepcevic, ). Interestingly, the definition of cancer survivor varied among participants.…”

Cancer survivorship: Advancing the concept in the context of colorectal cancer

“…Other considerations in the definition of cancer survivorship are the inclusion or exclusion of individuals who are terminally ill (Khan et al, 2012) and survivors' family members and friends (Feuerstein, 2007;Leigh, 2007). Furthermore, Hebdon et al (2015) delineated a difference between cancer 'survivor' and 'survivorship'. The former describes the individual who has had a diagnosis of cancer, while the latter refers to the ongoing healthcare needs of the individual.…”

“…However, these analyses focus on breast cancer survivorship among African-American women (Farmer and Smith, 2002), survivorship of chronic illness (Peck, 2008), cancer survivorship (Doyle, 2008) and cancer survivors (Hebdon et al, 2015) 1). Little work has been undertaken to build upon the theories developed within these concept analyses, nor to examine the validity of these conceptual models among survivors with different types of cancer.…”