Asian Oncol Nurs AON Asian Oncology Nursing 2287-2434 2287-447X Korean Oncology Nursing Society 10.5388/aon.2013.13.3.163 Original Article Experience of Colorectal Cancer Survival Journeys: Born Again after Going Through an Altered Self Image Park Jung-Ae 1 Choi Kyung Sook 2 Department of Nursing, Doowon Technical University College, Anseong, Korea. Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. Address reprint requests to: Choi, Kyung Sook. Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-756, Korea. Tel: +82-2-820-5677, Fax: +82-2-824-7961, kschoi@cau.ac.kr 09 2013 30 09 2013 13 3 163 173 07 08 2013 16 09 2013 © 2013 Korean Oncology Nursing Society 2013 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Purpose

This microethnographic study was performed to understand the survival experiences of patients after surgical resection of colorectal cancer.

 Methods

In-depth interviews of seven male and six female patients with colorectal cancer were conducted after being observed. Digital-audio recordings of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and then qualitatively analyzed.

 Results

The survival journeys of patients with colorectal cancer surgery were described as 'born again after going through an altered self-image'. This consists of 4 phases: 'Confrontation of the cancer diagnosis', 'Fierce compliance', 'Leveling off', and 'Born again'. Their self-images were significantly altered subsequent to confronting their cancer diagnosis. While they were in the phase of fierce compliance, patients were introverted from the outside world, but upon receiving help from a substantial supportive system including family, health professionals, peer patients, and religion, their internalized self-image was reinforced. This would significantly boost the patients' morale. Finally they felt born again with an emotional and spiritual self-image.

 Conclusion

Nursing intervention should be differentiated and specified according to the specific phase of the long term colorectal cancer survival journey. Colorectal cancer patients should be provided with a specialized nursing program to improve their self-images.

 Colorectal Neoplasms Survivors Life Experiences Self Concept National Research Foundation 2012-0006861

This work was supported the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Korea government (2012-0006861).

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Colorectal cancer survival journey and cancer treatment process. Ca.Dx=cancer diagnosis; IV Cx=intravenous chemtherapy; Oral Cx=oral chemtherapy; Ca. Tx=cancer treatment.

Colo-rectal patients' self image moves from covert world through out cancer survival journey. SI=self image; Ca. Dx=cancer diagnosis.

The Characteristics of Participants

OP=Operation; CTx=Chemotherapy.