Hughes, ND (2014) Living with cancer aged 75 and older: a biographical narrative case-study. The Qualitative Report, 19 (37). 1 - 16 (16). ISSN 1052-0147
Abstract
Aging is associated with greater incidence of disease and illness, including cancers. Extensive literature reports incidence, prevalence and treatment of cancers in older individuals. The subjective perceptions of older individuals undergoing the experience of cancer remain largely unknown. The case-study reported in this article is derived from a larger study whose aim was to investigate the experiences of older people of living with cancer. Data were generated using narrative interviews with twenty individuals aged 75-87 diagnosed with one of four common cancers. Interview data were analysed using the concept of the 'illness trajectory'(Corbin & Strauss, 1988) . In this article a single narrative is presented, which reveals a detailed and nuanced progression of events and reactions during the experience of cancer. The cancer story reported here is interpreted as a restitution narrative (Frank, 1995) in which the teller reports movement from an altered status (a damaged body) towards recovery and a return to 'normal,’ (a body restored to health). Some features of this story show health care practitioners and services working effectively to provide treatment and care, but other elements of this individual narrative suggest that some outstanding challenges remain to provide the best care for elders with cancer.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2014, Nova Southeastern University. This is an author produced version of a paper published in The Qualitative Report. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Cancer; illness trajectory; biographical-narrative interpretive method; restitution narrative; older adults |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Healthcare (Leeds) > Nursing Adult (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 10 Mar 2015 13:00 |
Last Modified: | 20 Apr 2015 23:47 |
Published Version: | http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol19/iss34/2 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Nova Southeastern University |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:83253 |