“Accepting Unexpected Health Realities”: Exploring the Life Experiences of Ovarian Cancer Patients – A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Among women, ovarian cancer is the eighth most frequent cancer globally and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Ovarian cancer is termed the "silent killer" because of its slow onset and unclear symptoms. Most of the advanced cases of ovarian cancer were found due to poor screening. The main objective of this study was to understand the emotional experiences, coping and resilience of patients undergoing ovarian cancer treatment. Methods: This qualitative study employs a phenomenological approach to explore the life experiences of ovarian cancer patients. An in-depth interview was conducted among patients undergoing cancer treatment. A total of 11 participants were included in this study. Thematic analysis was done. Results: The analysis of the data revealed eight main themes and 32 sub-themes that were characterized based on the experiences of cancer patients: 1) Misconceptions about symptoms, 2) Barriers in accessing healthcare, 3) Physical struggles, 4) Emotional turmoil, 5) Social issues, 6) Hope giving factors, 7) Sacrifice for family well-being, and 8) Emotional resilience. Conclusion: One of the key findings of this study is the importance of accepting unexpected health realities. This study shows the emotional journey of accepting difficult realities and mainly trusting medical professionals to guide one through treatment. Develop targeted educational campaigns to raise awareness about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and dispel common misconceptions.