Table 1 Appraisals of breast cancer
From: Understanding older women’s decision making and coping in the context of breast cancer treatment
A-Generic CODE question | B-Adapted CODE question^ | C-Example quote† | |
|---|---|---|---|
A. Primary appraisals: breast cancer | What are the causes? | What caused my BC? | “I was shocked because it’s not in [my] family … but my husband was a heavy smoker, now I don’t know whether that was anything to do with it.” |
What does this mean? | What is the prognosis for BC? | “Oh crikey, this is end of me life. This is end of me.” | |
How long will this last? | What are my chances of surviving this? | “…I don’t know exactly the numbers but it’s pretty high the recovery rate.” | |
How relevant/threatening is this? | How will BC affect my life? | “Oh no, urgh, might be bald for the wedding” | |
How important/ threatening is BC? | “I didn’t realise it was as serious until [name] said to me, ‘It’s quite serious you know?’ And I said, ‘Oh is it?’” | ||
What experiences do I have of cancer? | “…my mother-in-law had breast cancer and she had it removed and she waited until the lump was that big. …I was with her actually but she didn’t last very long.” | ||
How do I feel about this? | How do I feel about having BC? | “I mean when you’re older it’s, it doesn’t matter really as much at all. … I mean it’s still a bit scary but you know we’ve all got to get something…” | |
How do I feel about the way my BC was diagnosed? | “I was shocked, I know I was shocked at first because I mean I’d examined my breasts regularly and I had no idea and so I was shocked…” | ||
How do I feel about the potential symptoms of BC I could experience? | “I only was worrying about the pain I’m going to get in time…” | ||
How do I feel about the impact BC could have on my life? | “Well I suppose it's put a cloud over life a bit.” | ||
B. Secondary appraisals: resources to cope with breast cancer* | Can I find out more? | Can I find out more about breast cancer from books/the internet? | “…I read it so I can hold in my memory or look forward to probably [it's] going to tell mewhat to expect … So I read every little paper I go (anywhere) and see about cancer…” |
Can my physician help? | Can my doctor/nurse give me more information? | “…I was shocked [at breast cancer diagnosis] … then of course I wanted to know what was going to happen …everything was explained to me and as I said this nurse I asked her questions and it was ok after that. I didn’t worry.” | |
Can I talk to my family/friends? | Can a friend/relative help me find more information? | “…fortunately my daughter will come from [name] and, you know, look after me, and her husband being a doctor, she sort of knows what questions, what I ought to be asking…” | |
Can I get some instrumental support from family/ friends? | “…one of my daughter-in-law’s sister … bought me a stack of vitamins and - and so I still take those actually.” | ||
Can I get emotional support from family/friends? | “…we went, my daughter-in-law went back with me and he said, ‘We’re very sorry; it was cancer.’” | ||
Can I change how I feel about this? | Can I see a positive side to having BC? | “I’ve always said people are a lot worse and when I got to my age and I got this I thought well I’m on me way… I don’t worry about dying…” | |
Can I accept my BC? | “I’ve always said people are a lot worse and when I got to my age and I got this I thought well I’m on me way… I don’t worry about dying…” | ||
Can I find a way to relax? | “…you need to, to try and accept the cancer as well and things like relaxation, reflexology and reiki…” | ||
Could I ignore this information? | Can I distract myself/ block thoughts about BC? | “…I think then I just shut my mind to the fact that I had even cancer…” | |
Can I find strength in my faith? | Can I find strength in my faith? | “…I have faith. We both have, belong to the church and I’ve clung through all these things I’ve clung onto my faith even by my finger ends sometimes…” |