Assessing the Expression of Emotions in Breast Cancer Survivors during the Time of Recovery: Perspective from Focus Groups

Leticia Sanchez, Nelida Fernandez, Angela P. Calle, Valentina Ladera, Ines Casado, Enrique Bayon, Isaias Garcia and Ana M. Sahagun ()
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Leticia Sanchez: Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain
Nelida Fernandez: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Faculty of Nursing, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain
Angela P. Calle: Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain
Valentina Ladera: Department of Basic Psychology, Psychobiology and Methodology of Behavioral Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37005 Salamanca, Spain
Ines Casado: Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain
Enrique Bayon: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Faculty of Nursing, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain
Isaias Garcia: Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering. University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain
Ana M. Sahagun: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Faculty of Nursing, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: Breast cancer has major public health implications, as it is the most frequent malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Survivors have many needs, including strategies to cope with the associated distress. We explore whether focus groups are useful for nurses to obtain information about the emotional state of breast cancer women, and develop strategies for coping with the stress that this disease entails. A qualitative study was carried out, involving 25 focus groups with 83 women treated for breast cancer, recruited from the local Breast Cancer Association (ALMOM). Four open-ended questions were employed, and 60-min discussions were carried out. They were transcribed, analyzed, coded, and the themes identified. Four major themes emerged, including “complex emotional evolution”, “emotional isolation”, “lack of information” and “inability to give advice”. Women admitted that this disease had been a stressful factor for them, causing emotional (anxiety, irritability, anger or guilt) and cognitive disorders (confusion, lack of concentration, forgetfulness). The use of focus groups in breast cancer survivors allows nurses to evaluate the expression of emotions in these women, and collect and share information about their feelings, thoughts and experiences, so that survivors can cope more easily with the stress related to their illness.

Keywords: breast cancer; focus groups; information needs; long-term care; survivors; women’s health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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