TY - JOUR
T1 - Lasting impact
T2 - Understanding the psychosocial implications of cancer among military veterans
AU - Beehler, Gregory P.
AU - Rodrigues, Amy E.
AU - Kay, Morgan A.
AU - Kiviniemi, Marc T.
AU - Steinbrenner, Lynn
PY - 2013/7/1
Y1 - 2013/7/1
N2 - This qualitative study aimed to identify Veterans' perceptions of how cancer affects their life following treatment, particularly in relation to treatment side effects and identity as a cancer survivor. A diverse sample of 35 Veteran cancer survivors participated in semistructured, individual interviews. Thematic analysis revealed the enduring impact of diagnosis and chronic uncertainty regarding recurrence, psychological side effects that were periodic and typically self-managed, and physical side effects as common, but considered an acceptable trade-off for increased chances of survival. Perceptions of the term cancer survivor varied considerably among participants. Implications for survivorship wellness and care planning are discussed.
AB - This qualitative study aimed to identify Veterans' perceptions of how cancer affects their life following treatment, particularly in relation to treatment side effects and identity as a cancer survivor. A diverse sample of 35 Veteran cancer survivors participated in semistructured, individual interviews. Thematic analysis revealed the enduring impact of diagnosis and chronic uncertainty regarding recurrence, psychological side effects that were periodic and typically self-managed, and physical side effects as common, but considered an acceptable trade-off for increased chances of survival. Perceptions of the term cancer survivor varied considerably among participants. Implications for survivorship wellness and care planning are discussed.
KW - Veterans
KW - cancer survivors
KW - psychological distress
KW - side effects
KW - wellness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84880270391&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84880270391&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/07347332.2013.798762
DO - 10.1080/07347332.2013.798762
M3 - Article
C2 - 23844923
AN - SCOPUS:84880270391
SN - 0734-7332
VL - 31
SP - 430
EP - 450
JO - Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
JF - Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
IS - 4
ER -
