Making meaning of everyday life in the context of lung cancer treatment-a qualitative study of outpatients' perspectives

BackgroundThe increasing survival after a lung cancer diagnosis implies that patients live longer with the disease, which means that symptoms and side effects of the treatment become part of everyday life.AimThe study explored how older adults make meaning of everyday life when undergoing treatment for their lung cancer.Material and methodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 12 older adults with lung cancer undergoing various treatments. The analysis followed Giorgi's phenomenologic five-step method.ResultsThe analysis revealed three partly overlapping themes: meeting the health care system, losing identity, and struggling for meaning in everyday life. The patients appreciate clear and coherent communication at the oncology clinic. They had different needs for support from organised support groups, friends, communities, or relatives to make meaning of everyday life.ConclusionCreating meaning in everyday life is essential despite the disease and the treatments' side effects. Interpersonal relationships create meaningfulness in everyday life through a salutogenic perspective that makes everyday life comprehensible and manageable.SignificanceThe patients need an everyday life perspective on the disease and the side effects, which a salutogenic approach in the encounter with the health care system could support.