The meaning of the mountain: exploring breast cancer survivors' lived experiences of subjective well‐being during a climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro

Abstract

This study adopted a phenomenological approach to examine experiences of subjective well‐being (SWB) of a group (N = 6) of breast cancer survivors during an attempt to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro. Data were collected via participant observation and interviews. Each data source was analysed using strategies grounded in a phenomenological approach. Results uncovered the meaning of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro from the breast cancer survivors' points of view by identifying how participation in this activity supported their lived experiences of SWB. Participation in the climb on the mountain provided an opportunity for the women to (1) embrace life, (2) gain personal strength, (3) gain a sense of closure, (4) feel personally challenged, and (5) experience personal control. Further research should explore how participation in a climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro could inform other physical activity contexts for this population.

Keywords:

• breast cancer
• phenomenology
• physical activity
• lived experience
• well‐being
• women's health

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the six participants for their participation in this study. They would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments on a previous draft of this paper.