Breast cancer patient experiences through a journey map: A qualitative study

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 16; no. 9; p. e0257680
• Main Authors: Ciria-Suarez, Laura, Jiménez-Fonseca, Paula, Palacín-Lois, María, Antoñanzas-Basa, Mónica, Fernández-Montes, Ana, Manzano-Fernández, Aranzazu, Castelo, Beatriz, Asensio-Martínez, Elena, Hernando-Polo, Susana, Calderon, Caterina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Francisco Public Library of Science 22.09.2021; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Biology and Life Sciences; Breast cancer; Cancer patients; Cancer therapies; Care and treatment; Chemotherapy; Clinical psychology; Cognitive ability; Complications; Complications and side effects; Diagnosis; Emotions; Endocrine therapy; Health services; Homeopathy; Hospitals; Mammography; Materia medica and therapeutics; Medical prognosis; Medical treatment; Medicine and Health Sciences; Metastases; Metastasis; Oncology; Patient outcomes; Patients; Psychobiology; Qualitative research; Quality of life; Quantitative psychology; Radiation therapy; Sampling methods; Social Sciences; Therapeutics; Womens health; Spain; Madrid Spain
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257680

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in women. Prevention and treatments have lowered mortality; nevertheless, the impact of the diagnosis and treatment continue to impact all aspects of patients' lives (physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual). This study seeks to explore the experiences of the different stages women with breast cancer go through by means of a patient journey. This is a qualitative study in which 21 women with breast cancer or survivors were interviewed. Participants were recruited at 9 large hospitals in Spain and intentional sampling methods were applied. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview that was elaborated with the help of medical oncologists, nurses, and psycho-oncologists. Data were processed by adopting a thematic analysis approach. The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer entails a radical change in patients' day-to-day that linger in the mid-term. Seven stages have been defined that correspond to the different medical processes: diagnosis/unmasking stage, surgery/cleaning out, chemotherapy/loss of identity, radiotherapy/transition to normality, follow-up care/the "new" day-to-day, relapse/starting over, and metastatic/time-limited chronic breast cancer. The most relevant aspects of each are highlighted, as are the various cross-sectional aspects that manifest throughout the entire patient journey. Comprehending patients' experiences in depth facilitates the detection of situations of risk and helps to identify key moments when more precise information should be offered. Similarly, preparing the women for the process they must confront and for the sequelae of medical treatments would contribute to decreasing their uncertainty and concern, and to improving their quality-of-life.