The Lived Experience of Breast Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

This article seeks to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. As part of a mixed-methods study of 69 women who have or currently live with breast cancer, 27 participants opted into a Phase II semistructured interview to further discuss their experiences of emotional coping during the treatment process, beliefs about therapy, and the impact of COVID-19 on their emotional experience during treatment. Thematic narrative analysis was used to identify common themes. Participants shared about the unique stressors and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during their treatment and how it complicated the already emotional experience of coping with cancer. Five identified themes include (1) logistical impact of COVID-19 and its effects on accessing medical care, (2) concerns related to accessing emotional support, (3) emotional reactions to battling breast cancer while living through a global pandemic, (4) ways in which loss was experienced, and (5) benefits to technology-based psychoeducation and social supports that were identified during the pandemic. COVID-19 had a significant impact on those currently in treatment for breast cancer including increasing fear, decreasing social support, and increased logistical challenges. Changes to psychotherapeutic treatment protocols to include technologically enhanced psychological support during treatment and digitally based psychoeducation curriculum are warranted.