The will to live – breast cancer patients perceptions’ of palliative chemotherapy

Figures & data

Table 1. Characteristics of sociodemographic factors for the 20 patients interviewed in the study.

Characteristics	Number of patients (n = 20) (%)
Age
Range	40–80
Median	65.5
Mean	64
Married or living with partner
Yes	8 (40)
No	12 (60)
Economic situation
Good	12 (60)
Good enough	7 (35)
Bad	1(5)
Highest education level
University	13 (65)
High school	2 (10)
Vocational school	5 (25)
Years since primary diagnosis
Range	1–35
Median	8
Mean	10.3
Years with metastatic disease
Range	1–15
Median	4
Mean	4,5
Lines of palliative treatment
Range	2–8
Median	3

Table 2. Categories and subcategories of statements stressed or repeated in the 20 interviews with women receiving late lines of palliative chemotherapy.

Category	Subcategory
The decision process
Personal motives and goals	Death as a threat
	New value of life
	Cancer symptoms as triggers of death anxiety
	External motives for treatment
The treatment	The experience
	Stopping treatment is no option
	Treatment recovery period