Young women with breast cancer: Five years post diagnosis
This study aims to explore the meaning of breast cancer for young women five to ten years post diagnosis and to describe the survivorship issues that are still salient for them over a period of five years after diagnosis. Since more young women survive breast cancer than ever before, they are in danger of undergoing loss of fertility and early menopause. These symptoms are likely to be accompanied by hot flashes, sleep disturbances fatigue and depressive symptoms. Although numerous researchers have examined quality of life within a year of treatment, very few researchers have examined the health, quality of life, and psychological adjustment of younger women after five years or longer. Answering the question, "What is the long term experience of young women with breast cancer?" would provide a significant addition to the scientific body of knowledge regarding breast cancer and useful information for young women breast cancer survivors. The sample for this study consists of twenty women who were diagnosed with Stage I or II breast cancer at age forty or younger, had chemotherapy as one treatment and are now five to ten years post diagnosis. The methodology includes two interviews per participant with the researcher. These interviews are audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed. A diverse group of participants including Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic women are in the process of being recruited from outpatient clinics in Lynchburg, Roanoke, Richmond, and Charlottesville. Currently, there are five participants who have contributed two interviews each.
Students interested in working with me will learn about the concerns of younger women breast cancer survivors, interviewing techniques, the basics of qualitative research and the challenges associated with acquiring grant money, recruiting a diverse sample of women who meet the study criteria, analysis of qualitative data in the form of transcripts, and ethical issues associated with this research which is relevant to the fields of nursing, science, sociology, anthropology and health promotion.