Men’s Perspectives on Individual and Family Coping with their Wives’ Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy

Abstract

Little research has examined the impact of cancer and chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer from men's perspectives as partners, fathers, and caregivers. This research, part of a larger study describing women's, partners', and children's perspectives, aims to describe men's perspectives on their experiences and how their wives' breast cancer and chemotherapy impacted them and their families, to describe what facilitated and hindered their coping, and to suggest interventions to assist men and their families to manage the experience with less stress. This participatory action study used qualitative naturalistic inquiry methods. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 male partners. Two major themes were identified: focusing on a wife's illness and care, and focusing on the family to keep life going. Nine sub-themes cut across the major themes: being there, relying on health care professionals, being informed and contributing to decision making, trying to keep patterns normal and family life going, helping out and relying on others, being positive, putting self on hold, adapting work life, and managing finances.

Coming to Grips with Breast Cancer: The Spouse's Experience with His Wife's First Six Months

“…Even intimacy, which might have offered spouses some relief from their isolation, was fraught with difficulty. Being alone with their own feelings is consistent with results reported by others (Hilton, et al, 2000; Holmberg, Scott, Alexy, & Fife, 2001; Lethborg, et al, 2003; Skerrett, 1998). …”

“…Others have cited similar findings (Hilton, et al, 2000; Lethborg, et al, 2003; Samms, 1999; Zahlis & Shands, 1991). …”

“…They deserve and need attention. Although men have said they want counseling services and need to talk, men in the current study reported not using or seeking out such services (Hilton, et al, 2000). …”

“…Spouses are known to have concerns about their wife’s fatigue and other debilitating symptoms; sexual intimacy; the illness’ unpredictable nature, including fear of recurrence and uncertainty of outcomes; and personal and household disruptions (Ben-Zur, Gilbar, & Lev, 2001; Chekryn, 1984; Hilton, 1993; Hilton 1993a; Hilton, 1994; Hilton, 1994b; Hilton, Crawford, & Tarko, 2000; Hoskins, 1995; Lethborg, Kissane, & Burns, 2003; Lewis, Fletcher, et al, 2008; Longman, Braden, & Mishel, 1996; Longman, Braden, & Mishel, 1997; Mast, 1998; Nelson, 1996; Northouse, 1992; Northouse, 1994; Northouse, 1995; Northouse, 1996; Northouse & Swain, 1987; Skerrett, 2003; B. L. Walker, 1997; Walker & Eremin, 1996; Wellisch, et al, 1978).…”

“…There are six qualitative studies of spouses’ reported concerns about their wife’s breast cancer but the majority of these studies involve spouses of women diagnosed 1.5-2.5 years prior or are limited to very specific experiences, e.g., the spouse’s response to the surgical scar (Hilton, et al, 2000; Lethborg, et al, 2003; Northouse, 1989; Sabo, Brown, & Smith, 1986; Samms, 1999; Zahlis & Shands, 1991). When we turn to studies relevant to the initial diagnostic and treatment period, only 3 interview studies included spouses of wives diagnosed an average of 13 or fewer months (Lethborg, et al; Northouse; Zahlis & Shands).…”