| Summary: | Introduction: The populations who survive from breast cancer are
growing; nevertheless, they mostly encounter with many cancer related problems in their life,
especially after early diagnosis and have to deal with these problems. Except for the disease
entity, several socio-cultural factors may affect confronting this challenge among patients
and the way they deal with. Present study was carried out to prepare clear understanding of
Iranian women's lived experiences confronting breast cancer diagnosis and coping ways they
applied to deal with it. Methods: This study was carried out by using qualitative
phenomenological design. Data gathering was done through purposive sampling using
semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 18 women who survived from breast cancer. The
transcribed interviews were analyzed using Van Manen’s thematic analysis approach. Results:
Two main themes were emerged from the interviews including "emotional turbulence" and "threat
control". The first, comprised three sub themes including uncertainty, perceived worries, and
living with fears. The second included risk control, recurrence control, immediate seeking
help, seeking support and resource to spirituality. Conclusion: Emotional response was the
immediate reflection to cancer diagnosis. However, during post-treatment period a variety of
emotions were not uncommon findings, patients' perceptions have been changing along the time
and problem-focused coping strategies have replaced. Although women may experience a degree of
improvement and adjustment with illness, the emotional problems are not necessarily resolved,
they may continue and gradually engender positive outcomes.
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