The breast-cancer-ization of cancer survivorship: Implications for experiences of the disease

Bell, Kirsten

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.03.031

Cited by 67 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The optimistic, positively transformed, feminine, empowered, "immaculately groomed and seemingly at peace with the world" (King, 2006, p. 102) breast cancer survivor is an image that pervades both the media and advocacy realms (Ehrenreich, 2001(Ehrenreich, , 2009King, 2006), and has been the subject of both reverence and critique. For example, Bell (2014) argues that, because of the attention given to breast cancer by media and advocacy organizations, discourses of breast cancer survivorship have structured images of cancer in general, thus shaping the experiences and perceptions of survivors of other types of cancers.…”

Section: Meanings and Discourses Of Breast Cancer Survivorshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Little and colleagues (2002) argue that while cancer used to be "shrouded in social silence" (2002, p. 170), discourses around it have increasingly begun to circulate. While these themes primarily concern illness narratives and identity, rather than a focus on those who have survived, more recently narratives that reflect public understandings of cancer survivorship have appeared (e.g., Bell, 2014;DiGiacomo & Sumalla, 2012;Ehrenreich, 2001Ehrenreich, , 2009Frank, 2012a;Segal, 2012;Sinding & Gray, 2005). Indeed, as Frank (2012a, p. 196) observes, over the past 20 years survivorship "has become an industry, trading in expectations and self-images," which stands in marked contrast to the stigmatized silence on cancer and survivorship several decades ago.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Meanings of Breast Cancer Survivorship Among Members of Ethnically-Identified Support Groups

Dyer

Coreil

2017

hcs

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Research on both cancer survivorship and support needs has been limited in its attention to survivors from culturally-diverse communities. This study examined the perspectives of members and leaders of ethnically-identified breast cancer support groups regarding the meanings and expectations attached to survivorship. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 African American and Latina survivors in Central Florida. Participant narratives invoked themes of spiritual renewal and deepening religious faith, and deemphasized individual responsibility for personal change. Participants emphasized the importance of shared cultural identity in shaping the survivor experience, and some Latina women drew parallels between survivorship and the challenges of migration to a new country. An unwavering display of optimism was held to be paramount. These themes are interpreted within the framework of the interplay between dominant societal discourses of survivorship and locally-constructed meanings. Findings underscore the importance for healthcare providers to be cognizant and respectful of diverse perspectives on illness.

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Section: Meanings and Discourses Of Breast Cancer Survivorshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Meanings of Breast Cancer Survivorship Among Members of Ethnically-Identified Support Groups

Dyer

Coreil

2017

hcs

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“…In addition, estimating life expectancy can play an important role in answering patients. Therefore, finding a way to estimate patients' prognosis is one of the most important fields of research; pathologic and serum biomarkers as the first to explore [10,11]. E-erb B2, i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breast Carcinoma; Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER-2) and Grading Correlation

Mirmalek

Kani

Mehrabi

et al. 2015

ijtmgh

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Introduction: Overexpression of Human Epidermal Growth factor Receptor-2 (HER-2) is one of the most important prognostic and predictive factors of breast cancer, observed in 25% -30% of breast carcinoma patients leading to poor prognosis and feasible anti HER-2 antibody drugs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the HER-2 frequency in target population and its correlation with histologic grade as well as tumor pathology, estrogen receptor (ER) and P53 in our patients. Methods: A total of 300 cases (all female) aged 24-80 year, were randomly selected from patients who were admitted in two of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences affiliated centers (Emam Khomeini Cancer Institute and Shariati hospital) over a 2-year period (2013)(2014). Assessment of tumors for HER-2, P53, ER, pathological type and histologic grade was performed. HER-2 over expression defined as three plus (+++) in immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: The mean age was 49.6±11 years. HER-2 over expression was seen in 34% of the patients. Significant correlations were found between HER-2+, P53+ and high histologic grade and ER (P<0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between HER-2 and pathologic type of tumors in our study. Conclusion: Co-expression of several poor prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer (HER-2 +, P53 +, ER-, high grade) may predict more aggressive phenotype, worse disease and lower overall survival in these patients.

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“…The concepts of survivorship and survivor identity have served as a source of cohesion for many people who have experienced cancer, but the particular terminology, discourses and images that are attached to them, such as the idea of “cancer as a gift” or the role of positive thinking in influence the disease course, have been critiqued both by “survivors” themselves as well as by academic writers and social critics (see, for example, Bell, 2012, 2014; Ehrenreich, 2001, 2009; Little et al, 2002; Segal, 2012; Sinding and Gray, 2005). Anthropologists 1 and other social scientists have argued that the dominant meanings of survivorship reflect distinctively American cultural values (Jain, 2013; Stoller, 2004, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Surviving is not the same as living”: Cancer and Sobrevivencia in Puerto Rico

Dyer

2015

Social Science & Medicine

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“Cancer survivorship” is an evolving concept that has been elaborated to a large extent in the mainland U.S. through the work of national advocacy organizations, and it has served as a source of cohesion for many people who have experienced cancer. However, anthropologists and other social scientists have argued that dominant meanings of survivorship—such as the idea of “cancer as a gift” or the role of positive thinking in influencing the disease course—reflect distinctively American cultural values, and survivorship outside the U.S. has remained largely unexplored even while the concept has gained some traction globally. This paper explores how the concepts of “survivorship” and “survivor” are engaged in the setting of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the U.S., and how well they are seen to explain the nature of post-treatment life. Ethnographic fieldwork for this study was conducted over 12 months split between two field visits (2 months and 10 months) between June 2010 and March 2012 in San Juan, the capital city, and Ponce, a smaller city on the southern coast. This paper is based on interviews with 23 participants treated for cancer as young adults. Participants drew from many of the prevailing discourses of survivorship—such as transformation and the importance of optimism—as well as from what they understood to be distinctive aspects of Puerto Rican culture and identity, in the crafting of a local understanding of post-treatment life. Support organizations played a key role in shaping roles and expectations associated with having had cancer, and in solidifying particular views of survivorship more broadly.

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The breast-cancer-ization of cancer survivorship: Implications for experiences of the disease

Cited by 67 publications

References 22 publications

Meanings of Breast Cancer Survivorship Among Members of Ethnically-Identified Support Groups

Meanings of Breast Cancer Survivorship Among Members of Ethnically-Identified Support Groups

Breast Carcinoma; Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER-2) and Grading Correlation

“Surviving is not the same as living”: Cancer and Sobrevivencia in Puerto Rico

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