"Fight or Flight?" Norwegian Young Adult Cancer Survivors' Experiences of Coping with Cancer

Abstract

Background: Young adult cancer patients (YACPs) face unique challenges in coping with the disease, as they are in a life stage that encompasses several developmental challenges. While most research covers the lived experience of childhood, adolescent and adult cancer patients, little is known about the experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis during the already demanding life stage of young adults. Objective: This study aims to explore the lived experience of coping with the cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment from the perspective of YACPs in Norway. Study design: The study embraces in analyses of semi-structured in-depth interviews of 16 participants aged 18-35, who have undergone cancer treatment. Methods: A phenomenological approach is used to analyse the interviews, applying thematic analysis (TA) as method for analysis. Results: The findings suggest that coping with cancer in young adulthood is a multifaceted task that constituted a complex web of interrelated issues. Five central themes emerged as important topics to cope with for YACPs in Norway: 1.) getting the diagnosis, 2.) living with cancer 3.) meeting the health care system 4.) the impact of the treatment and 5.) the role of social support. Coping tasks varied throughout the disease. The overarching issue was dealing with uncertainty'. Each coping task turned out to be related to and enhanced by the life span young adulthood. Conclusion: Most of the patients experienced dealing with the disease as an overburdening task and expressed need for professional guiding and support. The findings implicate that the themes emerging from analysis stand in a sensitive relation to each other and can both facilitate and hinder adaptive coping in young adult cancer patients. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the unique perspective of the life-world of the young adult with cancer. The implication of the study is that further research on the topic and a health promoting approach to YACPs' treatment are needed. Practical interventions should be directed towards reducing external strains from the health care system and to facilitating and promoting well-adaptive coping in YACPs