Reproductive concerns and fear of cancer recurrence: a qualitative study of women’s experiences of the perinatal period after cancer

Abstract Background Young female cancer survivors are at a disproportionate risk of suffering significant psychological distress following treatment, particularly fears of cancer recurrence (FCR). While previous research has established the robust relationship between FCR and family matters (e.g., family planning and motherhood), there is a paucity of information about how a history of cancer affects women’s psychological functioning throughout the perinatal period. The present investigation sought to better understand women’s experiences of pregnancy and the postpartum period following cancer treatment through a qualitative analysis. Methods Ten women participated in a semi-structured, one-on-one interview either over telephone or video conferencing (Zoom). Women were recruited from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, as well as through online cancer support platforms, and social media sites. Participants all had a past cancer diagnosis; no active disease; were 45-years of age or younger; currently in the perinatal period; and spoke English fluently. The study employed a grounded theory analysis by which verbatim interview data were analysed using a constant comparison method until data saturation was reached. Results The qualitative analysis yielded I’m So Happy, But Also Terrified, as the core category, indicative of the duality of emotional experience that characterized the perinatal period for these women. Additionally, four higher-order categories emerged revealing how women go through a process of grief related to potential fertility loss; conditional joy during and after pregnancy due to the lingering weight of cancer; frustration with a lack of resources regarding perinatal health after cancer; and hope as they enter into motherhood. Conclusion These results suggest that women in the perinatal period with a history of cancer may be at an increased risk for psychological distress and require additional fertility and reproductive resources both during and after cancer treatment. This research is an important step in further understanding women’s experiences of pregnancy after cancer and may help to inform future research and healthcare practices, in addition to improving perinatal care after cancer.

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Chronic conditions and lifestyle behavior after cancer: The differences between 2,103 cancer cases and 4,185 age and gender matched controls.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.9585 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 9585-9585

Author(s):

Bogda Koczwara ◽

Michelle Miller ◽

Richard John Woodman ◽

John Coveney ◽

Sue Booth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age And Gender ◽

Lifestyle Behaviours ◽

History Of ◽

And Gender ◽

After Cancer ◽

History Of Cancer

9585 Background: Weight gain and inactivity after cancer are associated with poorer cancer outcomes and may predispose to chronic conditions but the prevalence of these among cancer survivors is not well defined. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine whether those with history of cancer have a greater prevalence of chronic conditions and whether their lifestyle behaviours differ from cancer free controls. Methods: Cross-sectional self-reported data were obtained from adult telephone survey respondents between January 2010 and March 2012. Age and gender matched individuals who did not report a cancer diagnosis were randomly selected from the same data source as controls. Data reported included rates of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, and osteoporosis, lifestyle behaviours (diet, physical activity and smoking), obesity, psychological distress and self-reported health. Between-group differences were assessed using McNemar’s test. Results: 2,103 cases and 4,185 controls were included in the analyses. Cancer cases had a higher prevalence than controls for all chronic conditions: cardiovascular disease 22.1% vs 18.4%, p=0.001; hypertension 53.3% vs 50%, p=0.015; hyperlipidaemia 47.8% vs 41.8%, p<0.001; diabetes 16% vs 13%, p=0.006; osteoporosis 13% vs 11%, p=0.013. There were no differences in diet, exercise or obesity. Cancer cases were more likely to report “very high” psychological distress (2.9% vs 1.7%, p=0.005) and “poor-fair” self-rated health (33.5% vs 22.9%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Despite similar diet and exercise habits and levels of obesity the prevalence of chronic conditions was significantly higher amongst those with history of cancer compared to controls. Further research is warranted to explain this increased predisposition to chronic conditions.

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South Asian immigrant women’s experiences of being respected within cancer treatment settings

Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal ◽

10.5737/1181912x204188192 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 188-192 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Savitri Singh-Carlson ◽

Anne Neufeld ◽

Joanne Olson

Keyword(s):

Cancer Treatment ◽

South Asian ◽

Asian Immigrant ◽

Women’S Experiences ◽

Women's Experiences ◽

South Asian Immigrant ◽

Treatment Settings

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Listening to Learn: A Qualitative Analysis of Women's Experiences with Mesh Mid-urethral Sling Surgery

Urology ◽

10.1016/j.urology.2021.12.006 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pansy Uberoi ◽

Wai Lee ◽

Alvaro Lucioni ◽

Kathleen C. Kobashi ◽

Donna L. Berry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Women’S Experiences ◽

Women's Experiences ◽

Sling Surgery

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A Continuum of Older Women’s Experiences as Members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): A Qualitative Analysis

Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly ◽

10.1080/07347324.2020.1824598 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 30-46

Author(s):

Jolene Sanders

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Alcoholics Anonymous ◽

Women’S Experiences ◽

Women's Experiences

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Saudi Arabian women’s experiences of breast cancer treatment

Cancer Nursing Practice ◽

10.7748/cnp2013.09.12.7.34.e920 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 34-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Howaida Saati

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Saudi Arabian ◽

Breast Cancer Treatment ◽

Women’S Experiences ◽

Women's Experiences

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Women’s experiences of the renewed National Cervical Screening Program in Australia 12 months following implementation: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. e039041 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rachael H Dodd ◽

Olivia A Mac ◽

Kirsten J McCaffery

Keyword(s):

Screening Program ◽

Cervical Screening ◽

Test Results ◽

Women’S Experiences ◽

Women's Experiences ◽

Hpv Status ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

History Of ◽

Abnormal Results

ObjectiveTo explore women’s experiences of the renewed National Cervical Screening Program in Australia from the perspective of women who have received different human papillomavirus (HPV) test results. Women aged 25 to 74 are now screened every 5 years with primary HPV screening.DesignQualitative interview study.SettingAustralia.ParticipantsWomen in Australia aged 25 to 74 who reported participating in cervical screening since December 2017, purposively sampled by test result (HPV positive, HPV negative and HPV status unknown).Methods26 interviews with women aged 25 to 74 were conducted and analysed thematically.ResultsThree main themes emerged: knowledge and attitudes about the programme changes, information dissemination, the meaning and responses to test results and the new cervical screening test (CST). Some women showed little awareness of the changes, but others understood that HPV is detected earlier than abnormal cells. Some expressed positive attitudes towards the CST and were not anxious about less frequent screening. Most women envisaged the changes would have minimal impact on their screening behaviour. Women mainly wanted more information about the changes and the possible results from the new CST. Overall women could recall their HPV results and understand the implications for future cervical screening. Anxiety about being at ‘increased risk’ was more apparent in women who were HPV positive without history of abnormal results.ConclusionsWomen show some understanding of HPV and the new CST, but more written and public communication about the changes and possible results are warranted. Efforts are needed to ensure that women who are HPV positive without history of abnormal results receive the information needed to alleviate anxiety.

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Sociodemographics and their impacts on risk factor awareness and beliefs about cancer and screening: results from a cross-sectional study in Newfoundland and Labrador

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09616-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fuyan Shi ◽

Lance Garrett Shaver ◽

Yujia Kong ◽

Yanqing Yi ◽

Kris Aubrey-Bassler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Newfoundland And Labrador ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Excellent Health ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Cancer

Abstract Background Our objective was to examine cancer risk factor awareness and beliefs about cancer treatment, outcomes, and screening, and how these are mediated by sociodemographic variables, among Newfoundland and Labrador residents. Methods Participants aged 35 to 74 were recruited through Facebook advertising, and a self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, Spearman rank correlations, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Of the 1048 participants who responded and met the inclusion criteria for this study, 1019 were selected for this analysis. Risk factor recognition was generally good, though several risk factors had poor awareness: being over 70 years old (53.4% respondents aware), having a low-fiber diet (65.0%), and drinking more than 1 unit of alcohol per day (62.8%). Our results showed that the participants’ awareness of risk factors was significantly associated with higher income level (rs = 0.237, P < 0.001), higher education (rs = 0.231, P < 0.001), living in rural regions (rs = 0.163, P < 0.001), and having a regular healthcare provider (rs = 0.081, P = 0.010). Logistic regression showed that among NL residents in our sample, those with higher income, post-secondary education, those in very good or excellent health, and those with a history of cancer all had higher odds of having more positive beliefs about cancer treatment and outcomes. Those with a history of cancer, and those with very good or excellent health, also had higher odds of having more positive beliefs about cancer screening. Finally, compared to Caucasian/white participants, those who were non-Caucasian/white had lower odds of having more positive beliefs about cancer screening. Conclusion Among adults in NL, there was poor awareness that low-fiber diets, alcohol, and age are risk factors for cancer. Lower income and education, rural residence, and not having a health care provider were associated with lower risk factor awareness. We also found a few associations between sociodemographic factors and beliefs about cancer treatment and outcomes or screening. We stress that while addressing awareness is necessary, so too is improving social circumstances of disadvantaged groups who lack the resources necessary to adopt healthy behaviours.

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