Adolescent Cancer

Abstract

The primary objective of the study has been to explore the personal experiences of adolescent newlinecancer patient. This phenomenological study has been carried out on 14 adolescent cancer newlinepatients aged between 13-16 years and the data was collected using In-depth interview. The newlineanalysis was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Through this study, a newlinecontextual framework of personal experiences by an adolescent cancer patient has been derived. newlinePhase 1: At diagnosis, it has been revealed that an adolescent patient goes through an initial newlinepsychological impact where they encounter the process of grief which is denial, anger and newlinesadness, makes psychosocial adjustments in their life mainly in terms of the experience of the newlineillness and initiation of treatment and quality of life has been impacted. While they go through newlinethese varied psychological distress, the family also experience intense pain and grief that the newlineadolescent patient goes through. Phase 2- During treatment, the participant initially goes through newlinephysical anguish as they are inducted into the treatment. Hence the physical experience that they newlineundergo is intense and painful which causes physical discomfort. When they undergo this newlineextreme physical agony, they would find it difficult to adhere to medical procedures. While they newlinereceive treatment, they experience a wide range of emotions. Emotions that they go through newlinerange from being overwhelmed, anger, fear, worry to feeling of hope and gratitude towards newlineeveryone around them. They go through an array of negative thoughts where they feel that newlinesomething negative might happen to them. These participants also go through weakness in their newlineself perception where they start having negative thoughts about themselves and their body. newlinedeveloping negative body image have affected their mental health and social functioning of the newlinepatient and that have an immense affect on their self confidence. Dealing with the cancer newlinediagnosis and the treatment can make them feel like they re on an emotional rollercoaster. To newlinedeal and cope with these negative emotions and thoughts, the participants resort to distraction newlinetechniques which provide comfort to them. During treatment, we can observe the participants newlinehave accepted the diagnosis of cancer and have become a long journey to treatment and newlinerecovery. The participants have moved on to accept the diagnosis with the help of family and newlinedoctors. This acceptance has helped them ease into the treatment process. The participants newlinegreatly appreciate and value family as their biggest strength and for their family, newlineresilience hasbeen the pathway to their emotional balance. newline