The Process by which Cancer Survivors Acquire New Roles through the Activities of Self-help Groups

Abstract

Objective: To elucidate the process by which cancer survivors acquire new roles through the activities of self-help groups (SHG). Subjects and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 10 cancer survivors participating in SHG, and the data were analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach (MGTA). Results: The process by which cancer survivors acquire new roles through the activities of SHG began with "a growing interest in other cancer survivors". Survivors continued to engage in activities while attaining "realization of enjoyment and interactions with cancer survivors", and thereby developed "role awareness for contributing to society". Cancer survivors also had "a permanent pain associated with cancer". Conclusion: The suffering resulting from the diagnosis of cancer triggered an interest in SHG. In addition, cancer survivors were constantly in search of more in-depth and detailed information, and SHG played an important role in the exchange of information. It is important for nurses to promote interactions while providing support that enables SHG to serve as a source of accurate information.