The adolescent life stage encompasses unique developmental challenges. Little is known about the experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis during this already demanding life stage. The aim of this study is to explore the lived experience of being diagnosed with cancer from the perspective of the adolescent. A phenomenological approach is used to perform semistructured interviews with 10 adolescents who have been diagnosed with cancer within the previous 4 to 6 months. Colaizzi's method of analysis is used to allow themes to emerge from these data. Six themes capture the essence of being diagnosed with cancer from the perspective of the adolescent: (1) the stunning loss of normalcy, (2) gaining information, (3) the importance of friends and their reactions, (4) getting used to it, (5) giving back, and (6) family support. The results of this study provide an emerging understanding of the unique perspective of the adolescent with cancer. Understanding this perspective is critical to meet the needs of this population.
Bilodeau, B.A., & Degner, L.F. (1996). Information needs, sources of information, and decisional roles in women with breast cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 23, 691-696.
2.
Bleyer, W.A. (2002). Cancer in older adolescents and young adults: Epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and importance of clinical trials . Medical and Pediatric Oncology, 38, 1-10.
3.
Cassileth, B.R., Zupkis, R.V., Sutton-Smith, K., & March, V. (1980). Information and participation preferences among cancer patients. Annals of Internal Medicine, 92, 832-836.
4.
Conger, J.J., & Galambos, N.L. (1997). Adolescence and youth (9th ed.). New York: Longman.
5.
Decker, C., Phillips, C.R., & Haase, J.E. (2004). Information needs of adolescents with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 21, 327-334.
6.
Docherty, S.L., Sandelowski, M., & Preisser, J.S. (2006). Three months in the symptom life of a teenage girl undergoing treatment for cancer. Research in Nursing and Health, 29, 294-310.
7.
Dunsmore, J., & Quine, S. (1995). Information, support, and decision-making needs and preferences of adolescents with cancer: Implications for health professionals . Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 13, 39-56.
8.
Enskär, K., Carlsson, M., Golsäter, M., & Hamrin, E. (1997). Symptom distress and life situation in adolescents with cancer. Cancer Nursing, 20, 23-33.
9.
Gurmankin, A.D., Baron, J., Hershey, J.C., & Ubel, P.A. (2002). The role of physicians' recommendations in medical treatment decisions. Medical Decision Making, 22, 262-271.
10.
Haase, J.E. (1987). Components of courage in chronically ill adolescents: A phenomenological study. Advances in Nursing Science, 9, 64-80.
11.
Haase, J.E., & Phillips, C.R. (2004). The adolescent/young adult experience. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 21, 145-149.
12.
Hinds, P.S., Drew, D., Oakes, L., Fouladi, M., Spunt, S.L., Church, C., et al. (2005). End-of-life care preferences of pediatric patients with cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 23, 9146-9154.
13.
Hokkanen, H., Eriksson, E., Ahonen, O., & Salantera, S. (2004). Adolescents with cancer: Experience of life and how it could be made easier. Cancer Nursing, 27, 325-335.
14.
Ishibashi, A. (2001). The needs of children and adolescents with cancer for information and social support. Cancer Nursing, 24, 61-67.
15.
Jasper, M.A. (1994). Issues in phenomenology for researcher of nursing . Journal of Advanced Nursing, 19, 309-314.
16.
Kyngäs, H. (2003). Patient education: Perspective of adolescents with chronic disease. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 12, 744-751.
17.
Munhall, P.L. (2007). Nursing research: A qualitative perspective (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
18.
Neville, K. (1998). The relationships among uncertainty, social support, and psychological distress in adolescents recently diagnosed with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 15, 37-46.
19.
Pyke-Grimm, K.A., Degner, L., Small, A., & Mueller, B. (1999). Preferences for participation in treatment decision-making and information needs of parents of children with cancer: A pilot study. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 16, 13-24.
Ritchie, M.A. (2001). Psychosocial nursing care for adolescents with cancer. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 24, 165-175.
23.
Schreiber, R.S., & Stern, P.N. (2001). Using grounded theory in nursing. New York: Springer.
24.
Shah, S., Peat, J.K., Mazurski, E.J., Wang, H., Sindhusake, D., Bruce, C., et al. (2001). Effect of peer led programme for asthma education in adolescents: Cluster randomized controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 322, 583-585.
25.
Stegenga, K., & Ward-Smith, P. (2008). The adolescent perspective on participation in treatment decision-making: A pilot study. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 25, 112-117.
26.
Stewart, J.L. (2003). "Getting used to it": Children finding the ordinary and routine in the uncertain context of cancer. Qualitative Health Research, 13, 394-407.
27.
Woodgate, R.L. (2006). The importance of being there: Perspectives of social support by adolescents with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 23, 122-134.
28.
Woodgate, R.L., & Degner, L.F. (2003). A substantive theory of keeping the spirit alive: The spirit within children with cancer and their families. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 20, 103-119.
