The Road to Recovery: Experiences and Occupational Lives of Icelandic Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences and occupational lives of Icelandic women with breast cancer. In all 18 women were interviewed using the Occupational Performance History Interview as a guide. The women employed different modes of interpreting and responding to the cancer event with occupational participation being the central vehicle to resist the illness. Adjustment to breast cancer survivorship was characterized by permanent changes in the women's lives with both positive and negative consequences. When working with women with breast cancer, occupational therapists should focus on their needs as occupational beings.

The role of occupational participation and environment among Icelandic women with breast cancer: A qualitative study

“…The current study was carried out within an occupational frame of reference, focusing on the narrative experiences of Icelandic women as they went through breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The women's responses and adjustment to the breast cancer experience are reported elsewhere [23]. Early in the analytic process, the centrality of occupational participation and environment in the women's perception of health and wellbeing became evident, making these two phenomena the main focus of the current analysis.…”

Functional Deficits and Quality of Life Among Cancer Survivors: Implications for Occupational Therapy in Cancer Survivorship Care

“…The various functional deficits recalled by our participants suggest a role for occupational therapy in helping them return to their previously performed and enjoyed occupations. As indicated by Palmadottir (2009), it is important that cancer survivors receive support in regaining their state of competence and normality after primary cancer treatment. To that end, occupational therapy practitioners should attend to the commonly observed deficits in body functions (e.g., pain, endurance, muscle strength, memory, attention) and determine how these deficits can cause limitations in performance skills (e.g., persisting with work, multitasking, managing stressful situations) and thus compromise occupations (e.g., work, education, leisure) of each client in cancer survivorship care.…”

“…A passive role was generally perceived and assumed throughout the treatment process even though most participants did not want to be looked upon as a patient. Although extensive medical treatments were provided to cure the disease and alleviate the symptoms, the participants felt that psychological wellbeing and participation in meaningful occupations were normally not addressed by health care professionals (Palmadottir, 2009). Maintaining a steady occupational routine and seeking out health-promoting activities were prioritized by the participants as a form of resisting the disease and enhancing their sense of competence.…”

Exploratory Study of Breast Cancer Survivors’ Lived Experience: Activity Engagement During and After Breast Cancer Treatment

“…Kaplan, 1983;Knapper, Lerner, & Bunting, 1986;Lawton, 1977;Moore, VanHaitsma, Curyto, & Saperstein, 2003;Moos, 1980;Shalinsky, 1986;Weisman, 1981) , and (e) occupational adaptation (OA) (Ludwig, 2004). These models have been applied to a variety of populations to understand the influence of the person and environment on occupational performance (Abeydeera, Willis, & Forsyth, 2006;Lyons et al, 2011;O'Brien, Bergeron, Duprey, Olver, & St. Onge, 2009;Ward, Mitchell, & Price, 2007), but only a couple have been applied to breast cancer survivors (Newman, 2013;Palmadottir, 2009Palmadottir, , 2010 and none have specifically utilized the PEOP.…”

“…They described how receiving information from a health care provider reduced their stress compared to reading information on the Internet. The impact of professional advice and support was also described by T. Lee et al (2009), Palmadottir (2009), and Palmadottir (2010).…”