“Basically,You Had Cancer and Now You Don't”: Exploring the Meaning of Being a “Cancer Survivor” Among Adolescents and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Purpose:

Survivorship experiences among adolescent and young adults (AYA) with cancer are unique and may involve a process of identity construction. This qualitative study explored AYA survivors' felt experience of being a cancer survivor focusing on the meaning of survivorship and whether identifying as a “cancer survivor” is consistent with their self-concept.

Methods:

Twenty-six individual semistructured interviews were conducted with AYA (M = 19.6 years; range: 16–24) with a history of cancer diagnosed between the ages of 14 and 18 (M = 15.6 years). Relevant themes in the literature and through clinical practice guided the development and use of the semistructured interview guides.

Results:

Thematic content analysis was used to identify cancer-related identities. Three identities emerged: Embracing: acceptance and identification with being a “cancer survivor,” cancer is a significant part of their life, Part of the Past: identifies as a “cancer survivor,” but does not let cancer define their life or see cancer as a nonissue, and Not Part of my Identity: does not identify with the term “cancer survivor,” cancer seemed like a small event.

Conclusion:

AYA construct different meanings to the words “cancer survivor.” These different meanings might reflect a process of identity construction, for some, the characteristics of cancer seemed integrated into one's self-concept, for others, the thought of being a “cancer survivor” rarely entered how they defined themselves. These findings shed light into how AYA reconcile integrating a cancer experience into their self-concept and emphasize the importance of not one-size-fits-all approach to understanding AYA internalization of being a cancer survivor.