Lived Experiences of Cancer Patients Managing Treatment Side Effects with Supportive Pharmaceutical Therapies
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Abstract
Cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy, is associated with a range of physical and psychological side effects that significantly impact patients' quality of life. While supportive pharmaceutical therapies have been used to mitigate these effects, the subjective experiences of patients in managing these side effects remain underexplored. Despite the growing body of research on cancer treatment, there is a lack of in-depth understanding regarding the emotional and psychological dimensions of managing medication side effects through supportive care. This study aims to address this gap by employing a phenomenological approach to explore cancer patients' lived experiences with supportive pharmaceutical therapies. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 cancer patients (6 women and 4 men, aged 35–65) undergoing chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital in [country/region]. The analysis revealed three main themes: (1) the struggle with unpredictable physical symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and neuropathy; (2) the emotional burden marked by anxiety, fear of recurrence, and social withdrawal; and (3) the restorative role of supportive pharmaceutical therapies in fostering emotional resilience and restoring a sense of control over daily life. While these therapies alleviated physical symptoms, patients emphasized their particular role in reducing stigma, improving sleep quality, and enhancing family interactions. However, the findings should be interpreted within the contextual limitations of a single-site study with a relatively small sample size, which may not capture the diversity of experiences across different cancer types or cultural backgrounds. These findings contribute to the existing literature by highlighting the importance of integrating mental health support into cancer treatment regimens and underscore the need for more holistic, patient-centered care. The study's implications suggest that future research should further explore the integration of supportive care in oncology, particularly its emotional and psychological impact on patients' quality of life.
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