Psychological Experiences of Women Living with Cancer: Identifying Their Needs and Addressing Concerns and Challenges in Kerman, Iran 2023

Leila  Barjasteh; Mohammad Hossein  Fallah; Najmeh  Sedrpoushan; Abolghasem Asi  Moznab

doi:10.18502/ssu.v34i4.22070

Leila Barjasteh Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Fallah Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran
Najmeh Sedrpoushan Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran
Abolghasem Asi Moznab Department of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v34i4.22070

Keywords: Psychological experiences, Women, Cancer.

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer has long been recognized as one of the most distressing, debilitating, and life-threatening diseases, exerting profound adverse effects on both patients and their families. In addition to its physical burden, cancer can lead to severe psychological consequences that significantly affect patients’ emotional well-being and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the psychological experiences of women diagnosed with cancer, identify their needs, and examine how they cope with concerns and challenges in Kerman, Iran.

Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2023-2024 at the Specialized Cancer Clinic of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 24 women diagnosed with cancer, aged 30-60 years. Purposive sampling was employed and continued until data saturation was achieved. Participants represented a diverse group of patients who had either recently received a cancer diagnosis or were undergoing treatment, with a disease duration ranging from 2 to 12 months. Interviews were conducted individually in a quiet setting free from external distractions and were guided by a semi-structured interview framework. Each interview lasted approximately 45-60 minutes. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted using thematic analysis.

Results: Analysis of the interview data yielded five main themes: psychological symptoms, social experiences, spiritual resources, treatment-related complications, and social adaptation. In addition, fifteen subthemes were identified that reflected various dimensions of participants’ lived experiences.

Conclusion: Understanding the psychological experiences of women with cancer can contribute to the identification of their needs and validation of their emotions and concerns, thereby supporting more effective disease management and care. These experiences, together with the challenges associated with treatment and disease-related complications, were found to influence patients’ personal identity and shape their perceptions of themselves, their families, and society. Such findings underscore the importance of addressing psychological and psychosocial dimensions alongside medical treatment in comprehensive cancer care.