Patients with Breast Cancer: Care in the Eyes of their Caregivers

Previous quantitative studies have been conducted on breast cancer patients in terms of understanding and comprehending the nature of the disease. However, little is known about the lived experiences of caregivers of breast cancer patients. The study aimed to understand the lived experiences of caregivers of patients with breast cancer. A Gadamerian-phenomenological approach and Van Manen methodological approach were used in the study. Data were collected using in-depth individual interviews. Researchers utilized unstructured which was aided with audio and/or video recorders. Seven participants included, who provide regular assistance in their activities of daily living, whose age from 21 -65. Data transcription and analysis used van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological approach. The meaning of lived experiences of caregivers of patients with breast cancer revealed thematic categories: caregivers being human, challenges as a caregiver thoughts and emotions emerging, lifting life above illness, caring as a choice, support despite challenges, strengthened relationship, light during darkness, escape amidst difficulties, accepting inevitable death, accepting a loss of a loved one. It revealed that there is diversity in caregiving experiences among the participants despite going through the same situation, sharing nearly similar experiences of giving care to these patients. The study asserts that there is universality of the caregiving phenomenon across cultures similar or otherwise even with subsets of smaller cultures. The study can potentially benefit any agencies or institutions that renders care to patient with cancer. This study can potentially add credence to their efforts of providing support mechanisms to the caregivers of breast cancer patients.