Good News or Bad News?: Being Diagnosed with Early Stage or Curable Cancer
Disciplines
Bioethics and Medical Ethics | Health Psychology | Medical Education | Medicine and Health | Mental and Social Health
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Technological advancements aimed at improving screening and early detection has led to a greater number of people diagnosed with early stage and curable cancers with excellent survival rates and less harsh treatment requirements. However, when people hear the word cancer, most assume the worst case scenario—that they have a disease that will kill them. Similarly, many physicians agree with this perspective and act or advise their patients, accordingly, compounding fear and distress. Although it can be lethal, cancer actually encompasses a wide range of diagnoses, from diseases that are aggressive and with high mortality to indolent lesions with extremely low potential for growth or metastasis. Cancer diagnoses exist on a spectrum, yet little information exists about the lived experiences of those diagnosed at the early stage and curable end of the cancer spectrum. This begs the question: how do people with early-stage cancers make sense of their experiences? To reduce the overall burden of cancer and meet the psychosocial needs of a broader range of individuals, it is necessary to critically assess the typical one-size-fits-all approach to cancer and the broad-based use of the term cancer that has traditionally been the norm. This study aims to investigate the experiences of those who have been diagnosed with early stage or curable cancers. We conducted interviews with 30 adults who had been diagnosed with a wide range of early stage and curable cancers who did not fit the “typical” cancer narrative. After analysis using a modified grounded theory approach, we identified several key themes, including defining cancer, receiving the diagnosis, and expectations for the future, As cancer diagnostics and treatments advance, and diagnosis takes place earlier, there will be greater need to understand the experiences of people living with early stage or curable cancer.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Health Promotion and Physical Education
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Evelina Sterling
Good News or Bad News?: Being Diagnosed with Early Stage or Curable Cancer
Technological advancements aimed at improving screening and early detection has led to a greater number of people diagnosed with early stage and curable cancers with excellent survival rates and less harsh treatment requirements. However, when people hear the word cancer, most assume the worst case scenario—that they have a disease that will kill them. Similarly, many physicians agree with this perspective and act or advise their patients, accordingly, compounding fear and distress. Although it can be lethal, cancer actually encompasses a wide range of diagnoses, from diseases that are aggressive and with high mortality to indolent lesions with extremely low potential for growth or metastasis. Cancer diagnoses exist on a spectrum, yet little information exists about the lived experiences of those diagnosed at the early stage and curable end of the cancer spectrum. This begs the question: how do people with early-stage cancers make sense of their experiences? To reduce the overall burden of cancer and meet the psychosocial needs of a broader range of individuals, it is necessary to critically assess the typical one-size-fits-all approach to cancer and the broad-based use of the term cancer that has traditionally been the norm. This study aims to investigate the experiences of those who have been diagnosed with early stage or curable cancers. We conducted interviews with 30 adults who had been diagnosed with a wide range of early stage and curable cancers who did not fit the “typical” cancer narrative. After analysis using a modified grounded theory approach, we identified several key themes, including defining cancer, receiving the diagnosis, and expectations for the future, As cancer diagnostics and treatments advance, and diagnosis takes place earlier, there will be greater need to understand the experiences of people living with early stage or curable cancer.