Sakda Khumkom
Suranaree University of Technology,Thailand
Title: Experience of Patients with Breast Cancer: A Phenomenological Study “Reaction to Illness, Adaptation and Coping
Biography
Biography: Sakda Khumkom
Abstract
This phenomenological research aim to explain the experiences of breast cancer patients in being reaction to illness, adaptation, and coping with post illness. In-depth interviews were used to collect data from thirty participants who had breast cancer and lived in Nakhon Ratchasima. Data were analyzed by modified Colaizzi's method. The results found that the participants reflected experiences three theme : 1. Reaction to illness (1) Phase of screening and waiting period ; most of them were worry ,frightened and fear that they would have cancer. (2) Phase to know the results; they had different reactions to cancer such as denied, separated, angered, bargained, depressed and accepted. (3) Phase to live with the disease ; they sought more knowledge and decreased stress and anxiety. 2. Adaptation (1) Lifestyle changing post illness ; they worked less and more concern more themselves. (2) Thoughts or beliefs about suicide ; most of them did not think of suicide because they feared of sin. (3) Reasons for living of them were loving and caring for them family. (4) Sense of self before and after illness ; they felt their life were precious so they must took care themselves more. (5) Feelings of the daily lifestyle ; most of them though that they were valuable, advantage, accepted and fought to the disease. 3. Coping with post illness; they consulted and asked for support from their families and tried to cope by themselves. Finding of this study will be beneficial for psychosocial care, promote mental health and adaptation for further breast cancer patients.