"Life gives you a lemon, you make lemonade": a qualitative study of identity among young male adult cancer survivors.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study aimed to explore how male young adult cancer survivors (YACSs), aged 18-39, reconstruct and make sense of their identity following the completion of cancer treatment by answering the research question: "How do male YACS perceive and interpret changes in their identity following cancer treatment?

Methods

A qualitative approach with an interpretive descriptive design was employed. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Agency and Communion, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 male YACS. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using Systematic Text Condensation.

Results

The findings indicate that the identities of male YACS underwent significantly transformation following cancer treatment. The overarching theme "A changed and

SUBMITTER: Flecther GF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12508407 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature