Long-term survivorship in women with breast cancer

The purpose of this study was to develop a theory of survivorship in long-term breast cancer patients, and a subsequent educational program to assist health care practitioners to guide these survivors. Seven women who had survived breast cancer for at least 10 years, were interviewed over a twelve month period. This qualitative study used Glaser & Strauss's grounded theory method to generate the process of survivorship for these women. The emergent core category, "life's journey" was characterized by two core variables, "caring with self" and "completing the grieving process". The following themes emerged from within these variables: coping strategies, maintaining support networks, accepting self-image, motivating stressors, seeking information, and relying on spirituality. Implications for nursing and recommendations for further research are presented.