The familial experiences of women with breast cancer referring to chemotherapy clinic: A qualitative study

Background: Breast cancer and its treatment affect both the patient and her family, where the entire family and their functioning undergo disturbance. Therefore, this study has been conducted with the aim of interpreting the experiences of women with breast cancer with regard to their family. Materials and Methods: The present study has been done through the qualitative method with conventional content analysis approach. The sampling has been done through the purposeful method with the participation of 12 patients with breast cancer referring to Chemotherapy Clinic in Zabol in 2016. The data collection method was semi-structured interview. Data analysis has been done using the proposed stages by Grenham and Landman. The accuracy and robustness of the data were investigated, and ethical considerations were also taken into account. Results: Based on the results, three main classes including mutual supports, mutual sufferings, and ambivalent feelings as well as six subclasses were extracted. “Mutual involvement of the patient and family with the disease” was also identified as the theme of this research. Conclusion: The findings of the research suggested that the experiences of these patients with regard to their family can be described as mutual involvement of the patient and family. The reason is that women and their family, due to experiencing the suffering from the disease, tried to support each other and these conditions had set the ground for the development of ambivalent feelings, such that some of them felt a sense of emptiness (deficiency) due to lack of familial support, while others had experienced a sense of competence thanks to motivation and encouragement. Investigation of the relevant papers suggested that through presenting educational and supportive interventions for the families of these patients, one can help them to indirectly gain better experiences about their family.