Cancer Survivors' Life Experience

암 생존자의 생활경험

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and understand the meaning of cancer survivors' life experience after being discharged from the primary cancer treatment. Methods: Data were collected through a tape-recorded in-depth interview from six participants living in Gyeonggi province from September 2007 to January 2008. The analysis of the data was made through the phenomenological analytic method suggested by Colaizzi. Results: Thirteen themes regarding the survivors' life experience were found. From these thirteen themes, six major theme were emerged. The six major theme included 'keeping his/her mind comfortable', 'going ahead with new hope', 'accepting for his/her existing burden', 'maintaining a good health for a new life', 'improving the strength and relationship among the family member', and 'being faithful to his/her religion'. Conclusions: The results of this study would help oncology nurses to understand the cancer survivors' life and to develop a quality of life improvement program for physical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of nursing.