How do Nigerian women construct the patterns of meaning of their identity and quality of life as breast cancer survivors?  Illuminating Margaret Newman’s theory of health as expanding consciousness.

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to open up a dialogue between the voices of Nigerian female breast cancer survivors and the imperatives of Margaret Newman’s theory of health as expanding consciousness. Margaret Newman’s theory was used to describe the structure of the meaning of survivorship and quality of life for Nigerian female breast Cancer survivors. Methods: A qualitative approach was used to interview 22 participants. Interviews of the participants were digitally audio-taped and then transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo 14 software. Data categories were reviewed and sorted to discover recurrent patterns within the data. Results: Three core concepts surfaced: (1) encountering Selfhood-Otherhood in the survivorship journey, (2) Be-ing within the rhythms of change, and (3) Living out the paradox of order-disorder life patterns. Through conceptual integration, these concepts emerged as the paradoxical rhythm of living as a breast cancer survivor in unique ways. Conclusions: This study enhances the knowledge of the quality of life, expands Newman’s theory of health as expanding consciousness, and demonstrates its value for uncovering the structure of the meaning of survivorship and lived experiences. Furthermore, this study provides insights for future nursing research and contributes to guiding nursing practice, living the art with more profound knowledge about breast cancer survivors living quality. Implications for Cancer Survivors: We argue that greater attention is needed to the affective, temporal, and economic dimensions of breast cancer survivorship, where the nurses help the survivors to find meaning in their situation and their lives, having understood that Order and disorder in the human life experience are part of an expansion of consciousness. Breast cancer survivors need to be helped to recognize their own pattern of living and to exert their own strengths in finding meaningin their survivorship journey and their lives.