Using the biopsychosocial model and the epigenetic principle, this study examined younger women's experiences of the psychosocial impact of breast cancer on diagnosis, treatment, and beyond the breast cancer experience. Social consequences of breast cancer 130 (i) Partner relationship and sexuality 130. ii) Mother-child relationship 133 (iii) Social networks: Friendship and extended family 135.
Problem Statement and Motivation
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and having to undergo treatment in the midst of such developmental challenges can therefore be quite stressful for young women, as they may face loss, the development of low self-esteem and other psychological and social difficulties. This research also includes an examination of women's social worlds, because as much as individuals have a role to play in the construction of their lives and their view of the world, however, social factors are inherent components of human existence that interact to shape and construct our experience of our worlds.
Aims and Objectives
Part A: Biomedical Aspects of Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Discussion on the Functional Structure of the Breast
- Risk Factors for Developing Breast Cancer
- Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
- Staging breast cancer
- TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER
- Follow-up after breast cancer treatment
2 Age- According to the National Cancer Institute (2004), the risk of developing breast cancer increases as a woman gets older. 6 Estrogen- Estrogen's contribution to breast cancer risk lies in prolonged exposure to the hormone.
PART B: PSYCHOSOCIAL SEQUELAE OF BREAST CANCER
Psychological Sequelae
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Body image perceptions
- Self-Concept
The following psychological sequelae are likely to occur as a result of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Anxiety occurs across different phases (prediagnostic, diagnostic, treatment, and posttreatment phases) of the breast cancer experience.
SOCIAL SEQUELAE OF BREAST CANCER
- The partner relationship and Sexuality
- The mother-child relationship
- Social Networks: Friendships and extended families
The condition of a sick parent, who has to go in and out of the doctor's office, is in pain and has a reduced energy level, can therefore be detrimental to the parent-child relationship and the child's functioning. An area worth looking at in relation to the parent-child relationship at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is the age and stage of development of the child and also the experience of single mothers who may not have a partner to provide a parental figure.
Theoretical Framework
- Erikson's Epigenetic Principle as a Complimenting Theoretical Framework The current study focuses on a specific age group, which is why the researcher found it
According to Lo Castro (2003), the biopsychosocial approach maintains an interwoven relationship between biological, social and psychological factors. Practitioners who adapt the biopsychosocial model therefore recognize that connections exist between the biological, mental, and psychological facets of health and disease.
CONCLUSION
The epigenetic principle of human development provides an excellent framework for understanding individuals in relation to the developmental tasks they are faced with at any given time. For example, the literature review highlighted possible difficulties with intimate partner and child-parent relationships that arise as a result of breast cancer, and Eriskon's developmental theory highlights how establishing intimate and family relationships are important developmental tasks for this study's target population.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Aim and Research Questions Aim
Case Study Approach
According to Yin (2003, p. 5), the following factors should be considered when choosing a strategy in case studies:. i) Type of research questions asked. ii) Extent of control an investigator has over actual behavioral events. iii) The degree of focus on contemporary as opposed to historical events. Multiple case studies are reported to be more powerful than single case studies because evidence from multiple sources is more persuasive and robust (Herriott & Firestone, 1983; Yin, 2003). The use of these theoretical frameworks was made in an attempt to understand the breast cancer experience in context.
Data Collection Method
As mentioned in the introductory chapter, the aim of the study was to gain insight into the experiences with the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in younger women from a psychosocial perspective. Also in line with the theoretical framework used in this study, the areas explored in the interviews focused on issues relevant to the illness experience and its impact on psychological and social well-being. Thus, the interview schedule used in the study aimed to tap into the following factors of psychological and social concern in relation to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as developmentally appropriate tasks, as can be seen when including the mother-child relationship Since Bearing and raising children is still an activity that is important for development at this stage.
Data Storage Methods
These audiotapes and transcripts were securely filed away for destruction once the dissertation examination process was complete. Observational notes were also taken during the interviews and these are attached to each transcript.
Participants
- Description of Participants
Participant A, 02 October 2006
This participant reported problems with her job during the treatment process, and these problems, she reports, led to her being ordered to apply for a health grant and to leave her job. This participant reported a history of breast cancer on her mother's side of the family (maternal grandmother). This participant also reported several deaths in her family, with her brother and sister dying after a long illness, one after the other, within a very short period of time.
Participant C, 22 October 2006
This participant is her mother's only biological child and was adopted into another marriage, where she grew up with half-siblings. It was reported that Participant C's mother played a very supportive role when the participant was diagnosed and went for treatment, especially at times when the participant was going to undergo chemotherapy sessions as she would not be able to do anything after her chemotherapy, let alone exercise. sessions. The participant's husband also gave her great support in all forms and she believes he was even more sensitive to her condition because of his work at the Ministry of Health.
Participant D, 27 October 2006
However, at the time of diagnosis, she was engaged and shared a home with her fiancé, who was said to be her supportive partner and to support her in all ways, including caring for the participant's adopted child. The participant's partner died in April 2005, at which time intense side effects began to occur, which she suspects may be related to the pain of losing a partner. After losing her partner, the participant took a six-month leave of absence and moved to Johannesburg to live with her sister, and was still on leave in Johannesburg at the time of the interview.
Participant E, 10 December 2006
- Ethical Issues
- Data Analysis
- Thematic Analysis
- Reliability and Validity Checks
- Reliability
- Validity
Second, the researcher determined that it was critical that officials in contact with breast cancer patients and survivors ensure that potential participants were informed of the voluntary nature of their participation in the study. We interviewed four participants at their home, and one at the researcher's workplace, shortly after working hours. It should be noted that thematic analysis in the current study was not only used in the analytical phase of the research process, but also at the beginning of the inquiry.
RESULTS
- PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT
Three of the participants in the current study indicated that they were concerned about the side effects of the treatment process. All participants reported increased stress levels due to the practical impact of the treatment regimen on their lives. Three of the participants reported having to travel to Durban for radiotherapy sessions as these services were reportedly unavailable in the Pietermaritzburg area.
Issues related to careers were also stressful for three of the participants in the current study. Members of the church were also reported by participants to have provided great support to participants.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Introduction
PSYCHOLOGICAL SEQUELAE OF BREAST CANCER (i) Depressed Mood
Anxiety about the treatment process also appeared in the results of the current study, and this anxiety was specific to treatment side effects. Therefore, this requires careful monitoring of the treatment process, as well as careful consideration of previous psychological functioning. The results of the current study revealed that the main concern regarding body image perceptions was related to changes in the breast, either as a result of a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.
SOCIAL SEQUELAE OF BREAST CANCER
These findings are consistent with the Breast Cancer Care (2004) report that part of the consequences of breast cancer include women's experiences of changing the way they feel or experience their sex life due to the physical and emotional effects of a changed sex life. body image after surgery. It is worth noting that four of the participants in this study were mothers who were in more settled relationships (three married and one in a cohabitation), which enabled more frequent exchanges with their children and thus opened a channel of communication through fathers. On the other hand, some relationships within the participants' social networks, particularly relationships with colleagues and friends (other than fellow church members), were reported to be confused, strained, and tested by the illness.
OTHER EMERGING THEMES
However, despite such individuals appearing as sources of support for all participants, it was found that participants could not place much trust in such individuals, as some of them did not understand the nature of the illness or resented that participants increasingly had to take time off. occupation. Thus prayer, either alone or with others, was an integral part of the illness experience. Compared to the rest of the participants, they faced extremely unfavorable psychosocial adjustment demands, which required their attention at the same time as the cancer.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
The results of the current study were in line with or confirmed the assumptions of the above theories. Faced with the enormous challenge of the disease, participants reported having a greater appreciation for their lives and their health and vitality. Thus, these findings clearly highlight the intertwined nature of the relationship between biological, social, and psychological factors in influencing health outcomes.
Implications and Recommendations
The results of the study also revealed that the patients' difficulties to adapt to the disease and its. the impact on body image poses a challenge for the partner's relationship as a whole. And indeed sometimes the partner's relationship as well as sexuality is disrupted by the experience, especially the treatment regimen. In addition to physical treatment of breast cancer, interventions should also include counseling and psychological support for the actual patient, as well as psycho-education of families, friends and colleagues to ensure a supportive social context.
Limitations and Recommendations for Further Research
MINI-DISSERTATION: AN INVESTIGATION OF YOUNG WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES OF THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF BREAST CANCER: DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND IT. If you agree to participate in this study, you will respond to questions regarding your experiences of the psychosocial impact of breast cancer in your life. I agree to participate in this study which examines younger women's experiences of the psychosocial impact of breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
And what have your social networks (friends and colleagues) been like since diagnosis in terms of previous relationships and support. How did you experience your body and its appearance in relation to the diagnosis and the treatment procedures followed (such as the operation). How would you say the diagnosis has affected, if anything, the way you see and define yourself?
Changes in the psychological distress of women diagnosed with breast cancer in long-term remission and their spouses. Sources of support and physical and mental well-being of young women with breast cancer. What you need to know about breast cancer. http://www.cancer.g0v/cancerinf0/wvntk/breast#wh0satRisk.
