Pathways of Change
Vol. 13 No. s1 (2025): Pathways of Change, Part I
Trail of acceptance: the experiences and perspectives of chemotherapy adherence among adolescents with cancer
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Received: 18 October 2024
Accepted: 8 January 2025
Accepted: 8 January 2025
440
Views
235
Downloads
6
HTML
Authors
Chemotherapy adherence is crucial for adolescents with cancer. However, their lived experiences and perspectives on adherence are understudied. Understanding these experiences is vital to improving support systems and addressing emotional and psychological challenges during treatment. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and perspectives of adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. This study employed a descriptive phenomenology approach guided by Colaizzi’s method. Purposive sampling was used to select adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews from 2022 to 2023 and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method, supported by NVivo 10 for data management. Adolescents had varying perceptions of their cancer diagnosis, often experiencing emotional distress, which influenced their chemotherapy adherence. The physical and emotional side effects of treatment were significant barriers to adherence. Support from healthcare providers, family, and peers played a crucial role in helping adolescents manage their illness and remain committed to treatment. Mental health management emerged as a key factor in improving adherence. Healthcare providers must adopt a patient-centered approach that addresses emotional distress, practical challenges, and the critical role of support systems in enhancing adolescents’ chemotherapy adherence.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Citations
Cox LE, Kenney AE, Harman JL, et al. Psychosocial functioning of young children treated for cancer: findings from a clinical sample. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 2019;36:17–23.
Sansom-Daly UM, Wakefield CE, Patterson P, et al. End-of-life communication needs for adolescents and young adults with cancer: recommendations for research and practice. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020;9:157–65.
Malard F, Mohty M. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Lancet 2020;395:1146–62.
Volberding PA, Spicer CM, Cartaxo T, Aiuppa L. Childhood cancer and functional impacts across the care continuum. Childhood Cancer and Functional Impacts Across the Care Continuum 2021;1–527.
Arizona IKLT, Sukartini T, Efendi F, et al. The Experiences of cancer-related fatigue among adult cancer patients: a systematic review. J Ners 2019;14.
Khoirunnisa SM, Suryanegara FDA, de Jong LA, et al. A systematic review of health-related quality of life in women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab. Pharmacoecon Open 2024;8:511-24.
Stein KD, Syrjala KL, Andrykowski MA. Physical and psychological long-term and late effects of cancer. Cancer 2008;112:2577–92.
Andrés-Jensen L, Larsen HB, Johansen C, et al. Everyday life challenges among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: An in-depth qualitative study. Psychooncology 2020;29:1630–7.
Epstein RS, Roy UKB, Aapro M, et al. Cancer patients’ perspectives and experiences of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression and its impact on daily life. Patient Prefer Adherence 2021;15:453–65.
Anand U, Dey A, Chandel AKS, et al. Cancer chemotherapy and beyond: Current status, drug candidates, associated risks and progress in targeted therapeutics. Genes Dis 2022;10:1367-401.
Arslan FT, Basbakkal Z, Kantar M. Quality of life and chemotherapy-related symptoms of Turkish cancer children undergoing chemotherapy. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev 2013;14:1761–8.
Martinez-Santos AE, Fernandez-De-La-Iglesia J del C, Sheaf G, Coyne I. A systematic review of the educational experiences and needs of children with cancer returning to school. J Adv Nurs 2021;77:2971–94.
Wiener L, Bedoya S, Battles H, et al. Voicing their choices: Advance care planning with adolescents and young adults with cancer and other serious conditions. Palliat Support Care 2022;20:462–70.
Dewi EU, Nursalam, Mahmudah, Yunitasari E. The effect of peer support psychoeducation based on experiential learning on self-care demands among breast cancer patients with post-chemotherapy. J Public Health Res 2023;12.
Supriati L, Sudiana IK, Nihayati HE, et al. Perspective of uncertainty and emotional responses in breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. SAGE Open Nurs 2022;8.
Nira AW, Triharini M, Nastiti AA. Factors associated with the resilience of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Pediomaternal Nurs J 2020;6:89.
Cheung AT, Li WHC, Ho LLK, et al. Impact of brain tumor and its treatment on the physical and psychological well-being, and quality of life amongst pediatric brain tumor survivors. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2019;41:104–9.
Mirlashari J, Ebrahimpour F, Salisu WJ. War on two fronts: Experience of children with cancer and their family during COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. J Pediatr Nurs 2021;57:25–31.
Laronne A, Granek L, Wiener L, et al. “Some things are even worse than telling a child he is going to die”: Pediatric oncology healthcare professionals perspectives on communicating with children about cancer and end of life. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022;69.
Murphy S, Donma AJ, Kohut SA, et al. Mindfulness practices for children and adolescents receiving cancer therapies. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol Nurs 2022;39:40-8.
Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Heal Care 2007;19:349–57.
Vignato J, Inman M, Patsais M, Conley V. Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software, phenomenology, and Colaizzi’s method. West J Nurs Res 2022;44:1117–23.
Liu Y, Li Y, Chen L, et al. Relationships between family resilience and posttraumatic growth in breast cancer survivors and caregiver burden. Psychooncology 2018;27:1284–90.
Supatmi S, Santoso B, Yunitasari E. The effect of spirituality on psychological hardiness of cervical cancer patients with chemotherapy. Stud Ethno-Medicine 2022;16:17–23.
Neville K. The relationships among uncertainty, social support, and psychological distress in adolescents recently diagnosed with cancer. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 1998;15:37–46.
Dalton L, Rapa E, Ziebland S, et al. Communication with children and adolescents about the diagnosis of a life-threatening condition in their parent. Lancet 2019;393:1164–76.
Suhayono S, Wibowo SA, Purnamasari I, et al. A systematic review of supportive therapy effect on quality of life in cancer patients. J Ners 2020;15:197–207.
Brinkman TM, Recklitis CJ, Michel G, et al. Psychological symptoms, social outcomes, socioeconomic attainment, and health behaviors among survivors of childhood cancer: Current state of the literature. J Clin Oncol 2018;36:2190–7.
Kalajdžić O, Pavlović J. The impact of the family and health workers on psychosocial adaptation and the process of treatment of oncological patients. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2020;8:779–83.
Blazin LJ, Cecchini C, Habashy C, et al. Communicating effectively in pediatric cancer care: Translating evidence into practice. Children 2018;5.
Topperzer MK, Hoffmann M, Larsen HB, et al. Interprofessional versus monoprofessional case-based learning in childhood cancer and the effect on healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes: study protocol for a randomised trial. BMC Health Serv Res 2020;20.
Ripamonti CI, Giuntoli F, Gonella S, Miccinesi G. Spiritual care in cancer patients: A need or an option? Curr Opin Oncol 2018;30:212–8.
How to Cite
Trail of acceptance: the experiences and perspectives of chemotherapy adherence among adolescents with cancer. (2025). Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings, 13(s1). https://doi.org/10.4081/hls.2025.13265
Copyright (c) 2025 the Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.