GETTING SICK AND GETTING WELL - A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF ETIOLOGIC EXPLANATIONS OF PEOPLE WITH CANCER

This paper explores lay explanations of developing a cancer disease an d 'recovering' from the disease, both phenomena of importance in under standing how information on cancer prevention and recovery is made sen se of by nonprofessionals. The data derive from interviews conducted w ith persons diagnosed with a malignant disease during 1987 at one hosp ital in urban Sweden. Forty-six patients were interviewed in 1988-1989 , and 20 of those surviving were interviewed again in 1992. Explanatio ns most often appear to be negotiated forth because they are able to f ulfil a positive function for the patient in the sickness process. Int ricate combinations of explanations are found which avoid individual b lame, provide the possibility of positive influence and allow for indi vidual successes. These micro-level explanations are discussed in rela tion to general discourse about prevention of sickness in our culture.