Exploring Uncertainty and Chronicity in Women’s Experiences of Ovarian Cancer
Meridith Burles (Supervisor: Lorraine Holtslander)
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
Email: meridith.burles@usask.ca
Dr. Burles is conducting a qualitative study that aims: to understand the ways in which women experience ovarian cancer as a chronic illness, and to describe how women negotiate the uncertainty of ovarian cancer and the future. Dr. Burles is asking women affected by the illness to participate in face-to-face and email interviews that explore the impact of ovarian cancer on their everyday lives. The findings of this study will identify coping strategies employed by women affected by ovarian cancer and areas for improvement in the care and support of this population.
Overview: It is well documented that ovarian cancer can affect women’s lives in many ways. For example, ovarian cancer may have short and long term implications for women’s physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Additionally, ovarian cancer can introduce uncertainty because this illness has a high rate of recurrence and relatively low survival rate.
However, according to Dr. Meridith Burles, not enough research has focused on women affected by ovarian cancer to find out about their experiences of this illness and its implications for their everyday lives. As such, Dr. Burles is conducting a qualitative study that aims: to understand the ways in which women experience ovarian cancer as a chronic illness, and to describe how women negotiate the uncertainty of ovarian cancer and the future.
In order to find out about women’s experiences, Dr. Burles is asking women affected by the illness to participate in face-to-face and email interviews that explore the impact of ovarian cancer on their everyday lives. The findings of this study will identify coping strategies employed by women affected by ovarian cancer and areas for improvement in the care and support of this population.
Saskatchewan Women’s Experiences of Ovarian Cancer: Summary of Qualitative Findings
