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Abstract
The authors investigated the psychosocial impact of dragon boat participation on women who have been treated for breast cancer. Open-ended qualitative interviews were completed by 10 new members recruited from two breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams. Our findings indicate that the women's experience of survivor dragon boating surpassed their expectations and offered them hope and increased strength and the ability to regain control of their lives. Key themes emerging from the in-depth interviews that encapsulate the experiences of women in their first season of dragon boating follow: awakening of the self, common bond, regaining control, being uplifted, and transcending the fear of death. The interview data support the emerging hypothesis that dragon boating is a vehicle for improving women's wellness and post-treatment qualityof life.
We thank the new member participants who shared their stories and experiences of dragon boating with us. Thank you to members of our community advisory group, Franci Finkelstein, Bonnie Marshall, Eleanor Nielsen, Doris Rossi, and Donnas Stuart, for their ongoing guidance and support.
This study was made possible with the generous support of Dr. Ross Gray of the Psychosocial and Behavioural Research Unit, Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre, and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Ontario Chapter.