The Meaning of Life and the Meaning of Death for Women with Breast Cancer

Having cancer promotes reflections and changes in the meaning of life and death. Objective: This qualitative study aimed to understand the meaning of life and death in a group of 11 women with breast cancer. Method: An interview with each participant was conducted and the information was classified and coded seeking emerging categories based on the procedural approach of Social Representations. Results: Some of the categories were: support, treatment, death; side effects; coping and suicide; positive experience with the doctor and the hospital; emotional reactions; prior knowledge of chemotherapy; previous experiences with cancer; and medical diagnostic process as having knowledge. Conclusions: This study allowed to approach an understanding of both breast cancer and the changes it generates in the meaning of life and death. Also, it allowed to understand the importance of family and the support network in this experience and feeling of struggle and strengthening the social role of women in coping with the disease.