EXPLORING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH ADVANCED CANCER AT HOME

Background: Cancer in advanced stages influences the everyday life and research shows that quality of life (QOL) is often affected for people with advanced cancer. QOL is a complex human phenomenon that may be difficult to... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Cancer in advanced stages influences the everyday life and research shows that quality of life (QOL) is often affected for people with advanced cancer. QOL is a complex human phenomenon that may be difficult to investigate through standardized measures. There is limited knowledge on how QOL is experienced and connected to everyday life of people with advanced cancer. The purpose is to understand how people with advanced cancer perceive and experience QOL.
Method:
Ten people with advanced cancer were purposefully selected as a subsample from a larger qualitative study. Each participant was interviewed twice in their home using in-depth interviews and photo-elicitation. A hermeneutic analysis was performed according to van Manen.
Results:
Preliminary results suggest that QOL is associated with the ability to preserve a familiar everyday life. This included maintaining independence and significant relationships and engagement in personally meaningful occupations. Spiritual experiences such as attending church or spending time in nature provided a sense of connectedness to personal history and a higher power.
Conclusion:
The study proposes that QOL may be closely related to preserving a familiar everyday life and the opportunity to have spiritual needs meet.
Application to Practice:
The study contributes with knowledge on what influences QOL for people with advanced cancer at home. This knowledge can inform future occupational therapy interventions targeted at enhancing QOL for this group.

Financial support: The Danish Cancer Society, The Tryg Foundation and The Danish Association of Occupational Therapists.