If I Am Old, You Cannot Tell Me That I Am Just A Breast Cancer Patient”: A Phenomenological Study

Öz

“IF I AM OLD, YOU CAN NOT TELL ME THAT I HAVE JUST BREAST CANCER PATIENT”: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY Abstract Objective: This study aimed to investigate the post-surgery experiences of elderly breast cancer survivors. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 elderly breast cancer patients (> 65) after surgery. To evoke the themes illuminating these women's experiences, we employed phenomenological analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged as a result of the research: "This is not ideal at this age but there is nothing I can do," "I am no longer self-sufficient," and "We are different, I am old." For elderly women, the phrase "removing the breast" is difficult to hear. Most elderly people could not even look at or touch the area. They asserted, however, that being healthy is more crucial than caring about one's physical appearance given one's age. They were unable to care for themselves, carry out independent daily tasks, or clean the house. It had a significant impact on the elderly to be dependent on others for these tasks. Those who were assisted felt grateful; those who were not supported felt helpless. The elderly were burdened more because of their age and various health issues. On the other hand, elderly patients who underwent cancer surgery experienced a fear of passing away. The elderly wanted information or assistance with their issues, but they were unsure of where to turn. Conclusion: Elderly breast cancer patients experience different issues due to the particular challenges of old age. Based on this knowledge, members of the healthcare team should follow a different roadmap than the particular strategy for performing breast cancer surgery on elderly patients. Cancer diagnosis, breast loss, the physical burden of comorbidity, the psychological burden of dependency, and the inability to care for oneself should all be considered when providing care and treatment for elderly individuals. Keywords: Breast cancer surgery; elderly patients; experience; geriatric oncology; phenomenology.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Breast cancer surgery
• elderly patients
• experience
• geriatric oncology
• phenomenology

“Eğer Yaşlıysam, Bana Sadece Meme Kanseri Hastası Olduğumu Söyleyemezsiniz”: Fenomenolojik Bir Çalışma

Öz

“EĞER YAŞLIYSAM, BANA SADECE MEME KANSERİ HASTASI OLDUĞUMU SÖYLEYEMEZSİNİZ”: FENOMENOLOJİK BİR ÇALIŞMA Özet Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, was to gain insight into the experiences of elderly survivors after breast cancer surgery. Yöntem: Ameliyat sonrası 65 yaş üzeri 12 meme kanseri hastası ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapıldı. Bu kadınların deneyimlerini yansıtan temaları oluşturmak için fenomenolojik analiz kullandık. Bulgular: Araştırmanın sonucunda “bu yaşta olacak iş mi ama sağlık olsun”, “kendi kendime yetemez oldum” ve “biz farklıyız, yaşlıyım ben” olmak üzere üç ana tema oluşturuldu. Memesinin alınması yaşlı kadınlar için karşılaşılması kolay olmayan bir demeyim oldu. Çoğu yaşlı dokunmayı hatta bakmayı başaramadı. Ancak yaşları nedeniyle fiziksel görünümlerini önemsememeleri gerektiğini ve sağlıklı olmanın daha önemli olduğunu belirttiler. Günlük yaşam aktiviteleri, özbakım ve ev işlerini bağımsız gerçekleştiremediler. Bu işlerde başkasına bağımlı olmak yaşlıları çok etkiledi. Destek bulanlar minnet, bulamayanlar ise çaresizlik yaşadı. Yaşları nedeniyle farklı sağlık sorunlarının olması yaşlıların yükünü artırdı. Diğer taraftan kanser nedeniyle ameliyat olmak yaşlıları ölüm korkusuyla yüzleştirdi. Yaşlılar bilgi almak ya da sorunları için destek almak istediler ama nereden alacaklarını bilmiyorlardı. Sonuç: Yaşlılığın kendine has güçlükleri yaşlı meme kanseri hastalaları için farklı sorunlara neden olmaktadır. Sağlık ekibi üyeleri bu bilgiye dayanarak yaşlı hastalar için meme kanseri cerrahisinine özgü yaklaşımdan farklı bir yol haritası kullanmalıdırlar. Bakım ve tedavi yaşlıların kanser tanısı, meme kaybı, komorbiditenin fizyolojik yükü, başkasına bağımlılığın psikolojik yükü ve kendi kendine yetememeyi de kapsamalıdır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Deneyim, fenomenoloji, geriatrik onkoloji, meme kanseri cerrahisi, yaşlı hastalar.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Deneyim
• fenomenoloji
• geriatrik onkoloji
• meme kanseri cerrahisi
• yaşlı hastalar.

Kaynakça

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