Learning through the experience of cancer survivorship: differences across age groups

Abstract

Objective

To identify and describe challenges that contribute to experiential learning among cancer survivors across different age groups.

Research approach

Qualitative collaborative study

Participants

27 cancer survivors

Methodological approach

Participants were invited to explain the after-cancer challenges they learned from during six focus groups. Five were organized by age-group (15-18, 19-34, 35-44, 45-59, ≥ 60) and a mixed group was held to ensure the co-construction of findings with participants. Inductive content analysis was performed.

Findings

While learning to live with a chronic disease, participant’s experiential learning appeared through four challenges: Searching for one’s identity, Autonomy, Disruption of social roles and responsibilities, Reclaiming one’s life. Particular aspects of challenges were identified across ages-groups and life courses.

Interpretation

Results indicate that psychosocial and health professionals should be sensitive to the fact that life courses are now diverse and not always associated with biological age. This has the potential to improve care by informing how these challenges affect the experience of cancer survivorship over time.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• cancer survivorship
• experience-based learning
• life course
• middle age
• older adult
• young adult

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgement

The authors would especially like to thank those who participated in the focus groups. We also extend our thanks to Cynthia Henriksen for her helpful comments and suggestions.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Canadian Center for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC). ARCC receives core funding from the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (Grant #2105- 703549).