Experience of Colorectal Cancer Survival Journeys: Born Again after Going Through an Altered Self Image

Jung-Ae Park; Kyung Sook Choi

doi:10.5388/aon.2013.13.3.163

Journal List > Asian Oncol Nurs > v.13(3) > 1081771

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Park and Choi: Experience of Colorectal Cancer Survival Journeys: Born Again after Going Through an Altered Self Image

Original Article

Asian Oncology Nursing 2013; 13(3): 163-173.

Published online: 30 September 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2013.13.3.163

Experience of Colorectal Cancer Survival Journeys: Born Again after Going Through an Altered Self Image

Jung-Ae Park¹, Kyung Sook Choi²

¹Department of Nursing, Doowon Technical University College, Anseong, Korea.

²Red 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

Received 7 August 2013 Accepted 16 September 2013

(open-access):

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.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Colorectal Neoplasms, Survivors, Life Experiences, Self Concept

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

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

Table 1

The Characteristics of Participants

OP=Operation; CTx=Chemotherapy.

Notes

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

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