Treatment withdrawal experiences of women with breast cancer: A phenomenological study

Shu-Ching Chi; Yu-Chen Liu; Sriyani Padmalatha Konara Mudiyanselage; Susan Fetzer; Mei-Feng Lin

doi:10.1111/jocn.17142

Treatment withdrawal experiences of women with breast cancer: A phenomenological study

J Clin Nurs. 2024 Mar 25. doi: 10.1111/jocn.17142. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Shu-Ching Chi^{1

2}, Yu-Chen Liu³, Sriyani Padmalatha Konara Mudiyanselage⁴, Susan Fetzer⁵, Mei-Feng Lin⁴

Affiliations

¹ Nursing Department, E-DA Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
² Nursing Department, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
³ School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Nursing, University of new Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA.

PMID: 38528376
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.17142

Abstract

Aim: To obtain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences, values, and beliefs of Taiwanese women with breast cancer who withdrew from cancer treatment.

Background: Fear of side effects, negative experiences and personal beliefs were identified as reasons for withdrawing from cancer treatments. Body-mind consciousness and body autonomy play a crucial role in cancer treatment decisions.

Design: Descriptive phenomenological approach.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured, face-to-face and in-depth interviews with 16 women diagnosed with breast cancer. Participants were purposefully selected from the Cancer Registry database. Employing a phenomenological approach, our aim was to explore the lived experiences of these individuals. Data analysis followed Giorgi's five-step process. To ensure a comprehensive report the COREQ checklist was applied.

Findings: 'The Determination to Preserve Me' is the essence of treatment withdrawal, identified by three themes and seven sub-themes. 'Raising Body-Mind Consciousness' was generated using body autonomy and preventing repeated psychological trauma from the participant's view. Their lifestyles, maintaining the family role, and returning to a normal trajectory help develop 'Maintaining Stability for Being a Patient and a Family Carer'. 'Self-Defending Against the Body Harm' was generated by concerns about maintaining health and preventing harm.

Conclusion: Women's behaviours became transformed by suffering. Actions were influenced by physical and psychological distress, misconceptions about treatments, and appearance changes by self-determination through self-protection.

Relevance to clinical practice: Healthcare professionals should respect women's autonomy and work collaboratively to ensure their decision-making with accurate information and awareness of the potential risks and benefits of treatment withdrawal need to concern.

Keywords: body–mind consciousness; breast cancer; phenomenological approach; psychological distress; qualitative research; self‐determination; treatment withdrawal.