Chapter 1

The Lived Experiences in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment of Woman

Authors:

Gonzales, Dinamarie O.

Piano, Michelle C.

Samiano, Jenalene A.

Savedra, Jenny Belle P.

Year: 2018

Group: 2

Members:

Patulot, Claire

Añonuevo, Davis

Abilong, Willy Joe

Guerrero, Nicole Angela

Barra, Eliess Cathleen

Llarena, Elyza
Background of the Study

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, in 2014, 18,327 new cases of
breast cancer were newly enlarged in the Philippines, the mortality rate ranked first
with 7728 dead cases. Early detection and treatment are the key factors to improve breast
cancer patients’ survival rate.

Breast cancer is now the leading site of cancer among women in the Philippines and
internationally. A study by a multinational pharmaceutical company in 2008 showed that the
Philippines are in the top 3 of Asian countries with breast cancer. Sadly, the same study found
out that the Philippines has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in Asia. In 2010, the
Philippine Cancer Society confirmed these facts. Their data have shown that breast cancer is
the number 1 cancer in the country for men and women combined; they have also found out
that the Philippines is among the top 5 countries in Asia.

In our society today, it is common to experience lady battling breast cancer. You will
hear their various stories on their voyage with this sickness. When these ladies adapt to
disease, they concentrate to their kids since they are intensely mindful of their time on earth.
Moreover, money related necessity become a huge need to continuously support their life. An
average Filipino who has diagnosed with breast cancer use their significant assets such as
households, vehicles, gadgets and equipment to sell and pawn just to meet the requirements of
medical expenses and bills.

Some working females with a big number of support groups generally give up their work
to concentrate on their health, but mostly they are compelled to work and find a highly paid jo
b for their medicine. With this given situation, researcher ask question like “what could have
been their first reaction when they heard that they have breast cancer and “how do they face
their journey having breast cancer” and many more question that the researcher wants to
know. The questions mentioned above motivated the researcher to conduct this study. This
seeks to explore and give meaning to the lived experiences of breast cancer parents during the
course of its diagnostic and treatment.
Theoretical Framework

The researchers used a qualitative approach which is called “Interpretative

Phenomenological Analysis” (IPA) which aims to provide detailed examination of personal lived
experience of a breast cancer survivor (Smith and Osborn, 2014). Phenomenology is an
approach to qualitative research that focuses on the commonality of a lived experience within a
particular group. The fundamental goal of the approach is to arrive at a description of the
nature of the particular phenomenon (Creswell, 2013). Since the approach is
Phenomenological, researchers conduct interviews with individuals who have first-hand
knowledge of the event or phenomena. According to Taylor (1985), human beings are self-
interpreting animals, in which individuals are actively engaged in interpreting phenomena in
their lives. In order for the researchers to examine the process, IPA draws upon
phenomenology, hermeneutics and idiography.

Scope and Limitations

The study’s primary focus is on describing, exploring and knowing breast cancer
patients’ experiences during their diagnosis and therapy. The boundaries of the research that
the researchers are unable to regulate are the participants’ time or accessibility and the
distractions in the setting of the environment where the interview will take place. Because of
semi-structured meeting, it is unavoidable that occasionally members will respond to questions
that are outside the extent of the examination.

Statement of the Problem

Statement of the Problem The research study will explore and interpret the lived
experiences of a breast cancer patient during diagnosis and treatment, how they become
resilient in this such phenomena, the support system they have during and after having breast
cancer and how they finally be able to bounce back after all the struggles they went through.
Significance of the Study

The researchers will conduct the study in order for them to acquire a better
understanding about the battleship and the lived experience of a breast cancer survivor. The
results and findings of their study aims to benefit the following persons:

Breast Cancer Patients.

The study will expound the knowledge of the patients about overcoming their
disease. The research study aims to give hope and inspiration to the patients to
continue and move forward with their life.

Phenomenology

Phenomenology is the philosophical name for the method of investigating or

inquiring into the meanings of our experiences as we live them. Any experience can be
studied phenomenologically. The approach is called “phenomenological” reflection
because it uses the method of the epoché and the reduction. The aim of a
phenomenological research project is to arrive at phenomenal insights that contribute
to our thoughtfulness and practical tact, by using the methods of the epoché and the
reduction. As for the researchers, they tend to to focus on the lived experiences of
breast cancer patients and how they make meaning of their life experiences such as
having breast cancer. By conducting an interview, researchers will be able to discuss and
present the ideas of patients about their lived experiences as breast cancer patients and
the researchers will finally be able to have their own interpretations.

Idiography

The fundamental principle behind the idiographic approach is to explore every

single case, before producing any general statements. IPA, relies on idiography, meaning
researchers focus on the particular rather than the universal (Pietkiewics and Smith,
2014). The researchers tend to focus on the individual and emphasize the unique
personal experience of human nature.
Significant Others.

This study will be a great help for them because they will gain more knowledge
and understanding for a breast cancer patient for them to become a source of strength
of a woman with breast cancer.

Future Researchers.

This study can be used as a reference for further research study in the future
about the lived experience of the breast cancer patients.