Investigating the Mental Experience of Patients Suffering From Cancer

Abstract

Background: Despite the remarkable development of medical sciences, cancer has yet remained one of the most important diseases of the current century and the second cause of death following cardiovascular diseases. Although we witnessed considerable development in treating cancer and increased number of survivors, cancer is a unique disease that makes the patients deeply feel helplessness and fear. Methods: A qualitative content analysis research was done. The present study investigated patients' experience and behaviors after hearing about their cancer. Purposeful sampling was carried out and continued until data saturation. We used qualitative validation methods to verify the results. Results: Study participants consisted of 14 patients. 10 main components emerged from the data including: 1) getting shocked, 2) fear, 3) anxiety and stress, 4) guilt, 5) hopelessness, 6) depression, 7) isolation, 8) lack of affection and dependency on family members, 9) getting prepared to die and, 10) reviving spiritual relationship with God. Conclusions: There is a necessity to understand the mental feelings of cancer patients, and program suitable clinical interventions based on patients' mental needs. As the number of cancer patients is increasing, the results of the present study can be useful for patients' families and clinical personnel especially physicians and nurses in dealing with cancer patients.

The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training with a Positive Thinking Approach in Quality of Life and Its Dimensions Among Children with Cancer

“…The results indicated that emotion regulation training, with a positive thinking approach, improved the quality of life and its dimensions among children with cancer in the posttest and follow-up (Tables 4). This finding is somehow in line with results of other studies (16,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36). Ciuluvica, Amerio, and Fulcheri (21) demonstrated that emotion regulation training promoted quality of life among patients.…”

“…Moreover, cognitive-behavioral therapy enables people to maintain their ideal selves in a constant form and constantly improves their actual selves during a treatment (36). To explain these findings (16,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35), it can be noted that emotion regulation plays a key role in adapting to cancer and being aware of emotions aids children with cancer to improve their mental health. Accordingly, by applying emotion regulation strategies, patients with cancer can deal with their issues and respond adaptively to them.…”

“…Although a primary prevention is always effective and useful, a secondary prevention (psychotherapy interventions) can greatly decrease psychosocial problems among these children (15). In spite of medical advances, developments in cancer treatment methods, as well as an increase in the number of cancer survivors, cancer is still regarded as a unique disease in terms of creating deep feelings of fear and despair (16). Among pieces of training that promote these children' quality of life, emotion regulation training with a positive thinking approach can be mentioned.…”

Patients’ expectations of cancer treatment and their perceived link to subsequent experiences: A qualitative study

“…Transcending both these themes was a search for stability and certainty as participants described managing the challenges posed by their treatment. Feelings of uncertainty have been commonly reported in previous research exploring the experiences of those with cancer (Abdollahzadeh, Moudi, & Khanjani, 2017; Connerty & Knott, 2013; Landmark & Wahl, 2002; Shaha, Cox, Talman, & Kelly, 2008). The results from the present study indicate that participants tried to manage their uncertainty primarily through a desire for normality and the development of a new routine which incorporated the disruption created by treatment.…”

Investigating the relationship between religious orientation and spiritual intelligence with general health dimensions in women with breast cancer

“…Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death. [ 1 ] This disease changes the course of a person's life and causes him/her many problems in all physical, mental, social, economic, and family dimensions. Depression, frustration, anger, and sometimes suicidal ideation are common in these patients.…”