THE CANCER EXPERIENCE - RESPONSES OF PATIENTS RECEIVING OUTPATIENT RADIOTHERAPY

This study investigated the meaning of the cancer experience for 44 in dividuals receiving outpatient radiotherapy. In interviews conducted i mmediately before treatment was initiated and after its completion, pa tients were asked to describe what having cancer had been like for the m. Their responses were read and coded as ''Accepting,'' ''Coping,'' o r ''Experiencing emotional trauma.'' Whereas 26 patients were categori zed as ''Accepting'' or ''Coping'' at the initial interview, 25 were p laced in the ''Experiencing emotional trauma'' category after treatmen t was completed. The authors concluded that nurses and other health ca re professionals need to recognize the emotional as well as physical r amifications of the treatment experience and help patients cope with t hese stressors.