Proceedings of The 3rd Global Conference on Women’s Studies
Year: 2022
DOI:
[Fulltext]
Women Facing Cancer, Women Facing Process of Dying – Qualitative Analysis from the Perspective of Female Patients under the Care of Hospice
Weronika Kaminska
ABSTRACT:
The construct of fighting cancer is rooted in society. It is seen as a disease that occurs without the fault of the individual (Sontag, 2001). On one hand, it causes social support, help to the person with cancer, and on the other, it causes pressure to face the disease (Cataldo et al., 2011; Weigl et al., 2018). During this /me, the individual adapts to the new situation, experiences a change in social roles, and acquires a new one – the role of a patient, often without preparation. The new situation requires a change in everyday activities, and also affects an individual’s identity, which is constructed throughout live (Knapp et al., 2014). Women facing cancer do not only have to deal with the disease itself. They also have to face changes in their own female identity. Sometimes cancer disease turns into a terminal condition, and the patient is taken care of by a hospice (inpatient, home care). This presentation is a qualitative analysis of the transition from oncological patient to dying patient from the perspective of female patients in hospice care, perception of the situation, dealing with changes and social expectations.
keywords: expectations; hospice care; identity; social role.