Breast--Cancer--Nursing

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.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of what happens when partners participate in the Partner Breast Exam Program. A qualitative research design, using a grounded theory approach was used to understand the perspective of the couples participating in "Men Can Too" a Partner Breast Exam program. This approach was chosen because the experience of participation in Partner Breast Exam is "unchartered territory." Preliminary findings suggest that the process of partnering results in a synergy between the couples. The three processes that comprise the Dynamics of a Synergistic Couple include: Sharing, Dyad: Male/Female Interaction, and Motivation. Partnering, by removing barriers such as fear, can promote a shared journey toward health for a couple, where they become synergistic partners in health, when they share the burden.