ประสบการณ์การเจ็บป่วยของสตรีอายุน้อยที่เป็นมะเร็งเต้านม Illness Experience of Young Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

This descriptive phenomenological research aimed to describe the illness experience of young women with breast cancer. Study informants were   25 women, under the age of 35 at the time of diagnosis, selected by purposive sampling and theoretical sampling from two hospitals in Northeastern Thailand. Data were collected by in-depth interview and field record.The transcribed data were analyzed by using Colaizzi's method. Four Themes emerged from the participant's description of their experience included1) "Living with the lump" 2) "Getting the diagnosis" 3) "Difficulties during the treatment period" and 4) "Getting back to normal."The results of this study reveal the life pattern of young women with breast cancer, especially the concern that they had at each stage increase our understanding of their experience. This knowledge will be useful in developing nursing care for young women with breast cancer.