Between Fear and Hope: A Multiple-Case Study on the Lived Experiences of Women with Invasive Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22023773Keywords:
invasive cervical cancer, lived experiences, coping mechanisms, fear and hope, multiple-case study, holistic nursing careAbstract
This qualitative multiple-case study explored the lived experiences of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in Davao del Norte, with emphasis on psychological responses, coping mechanisms, and insights emerging between fear and hope. Three women with Stage IIA2, Stage IIIB, and Stage IV invasive cervical cancer were recruited through referral and criterion-based purposive selection. Data were generated through face-to-face, in-depth interviews, supported by family informants, and analyzed using thematic analysis and cross-case comparison. Across cases, fear of death was a shared experience, while feeling overwhelmed and emotional stress were prominent in Cases A and B. Case-specific experiences included fear of disease and concealment of diagnosis, being misunderstood by others, and, for the participant with advanced disease, functional decline, role disruption, family-centered worry, altered self-image, and treatment-related fear. Coping was shaped by living by faith and acceptance of the life situation across all three cases; positive thinking, family support, and social engagement were prominent in two cases. Major insights included valuing life, strengthening social connections, and cultivating hope for resilience. The findings show that living with invasive cervical cancer is not solely a physical illness experience but a dynamic biopsychosocial and spiritual process influenced by disease stage, personal appraisal, family relationships, faith, social resources, and meaning-making. The study underscores the need for holistic, culturally sensitive, patient-centered nursing care that integrates psychosocial assessment, family and spiritual support, clear communication, and continuity of care alongside medical treatment.
Downloads
References
Agyeiwaa, J., Kusi-Amponsah Diji, A., Amoo, S. A., Asare, H., Yeboah, D., Antwi, G., Davies, A. E., Diji, F., & Ebu Enyan, N. I. (2024). Experiences of women living with cervical cancer in Ghana: Challenges and coping strategies. BMC Women’s Health, 24(1), 621. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03472-7
Ahmadi, F., Zandi, S., & Poblete, M.-L. (2024). Religion, culture, and cancer: Insights from a qualitative study on coping experiences of Filipino patients in psycho-oncology. Psycho-Oncology. Advance online publication.
Ambikile, J. S., Msengi, E. A., Chona, E. Z., & Gosse, R. A. (2025). Coping strategies utilized by patients with cervical cancer: An explorative qualitative study at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. BMC Women’s Health, 25(1), 59.
Bae, H. S., & Temkin, S. M. (2025). Cervical cancer stigma—A silent barrier to the elimination of cervical cancer. Cancer, 131(5).
Bhatla, N., Aoki, D., Sharma, D. N., & Sankaranarayanan, R. (2021). Cancer of the cervix uteri: 2021 update. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 155(Suppl. 1), 28–44.
Boisson, S. (2024). The psychological and emotional impact of cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cervical Cancer, 9(6), 1000248.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2020). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health.
Chona, E. Z., Msengi, E. A., Gosse, R. A., & Ambikile, J. S. (2023). The lived experiences and caring needs of women diagnosed with cervical cancer: A qualitative study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PLOS ONE, 18(8), e0289925.
Christiansen, M. G., Piil, K., & Jarden, M. (2022). The symptom experience and self-management strategies of women undergoing cervical cancer treatment: A qualitative study. Cancer Nursing, 45(1), 12–20.
Cianci, S., Tarascio, M., Arcieri, M., La Verde, M., Martinelli, C., Capozzi, V. A., & Ercoli, A. (2023). Post-treatment sexual function and quality of life of patients affected by cervical cancer: A systematic review. Medicina, 59(4), 704.
Coleman, D., Hurtado-de-Mendoza, A., Montero, A., Sawhney, S., Wang, J. H. Y., Lobo, T., & Graves, K. D. (2024). Stigma, social support, and spirituality: Associations with symptoms among Black, Latina, and Chinese American cervical cancer survivors. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 18(3), 710–726.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Dirar, A., Mekonnen, W., & Berhanu, Z. (2022). Predictors of coping strategies among cervical cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Care, 7(4), 629–636.
Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129–136.
Herita, G., Afiyanti, Y., & Azidin, Y. (2024). Pengalaman perempuan terdiagnosis kanker servik: Studi deskriptif kualitatif. Bunda Edu-Midwifery Journal, 7(1), 97–110.
Higuita-Gutiérrez, L. F., Estrada-Mesa, D. A., Salas-Zapata, W. A., & Cardona-Arias, J. A. (2023). Influence of positive thinking ideology on physician representations of cancer. Behavioral Sciences, 13(10), 866.
Kiger, M. E., & Varpio, L. (2020). Thematic analysis of qualitative data: A reflexive approach. Medical Education, 54(1), 101–108.
Kulsum, U., Budiono, D. I., & Kurniawati, E. M. (2022). Women’s lives after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. Indonesian Midwifery and Health Sciences Journal, 6(2), 181–191.
Kurniasih, D., Titihalawa, E. M., & Tiningsih, S. V. R. (2023). Family support in cervical cancer patients treated: A qualitative case study. Malahayati International Journal of Nursing and Health Science, 6(5), 399–404.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer.
Li, H., Lyu, M., Wang, A., Yin, Y., Zhang, J., & Li, P. (2024). Social support and life satisfaction in women with cervical cancer: A serial multiple mediation model. Cancer Nursing, 47(1), 64–71.
Li, Q., Gu, Z., Li, M., Liu, C., & Wu, H. (2023). Perceived social support and sense of coherence in cervical cancer patients: Associations with anxiety and depression. BMC Psychiatry, 23, 188.
Ljungman, L., Köhler, M., Hovén, E., Stålberg, K., Mattsson, E., & Wikman, A. (2021). “There should be some kind of checklist for the soul”: A qualitative interview study of support needs after the end of treatment for gynecologic cancer in young women. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 52, 101927.
Nastiti, A. A., Pradanie, R., Susanti, E., & Tristiana, R. D. (2020). Women experience with newly diagnosed cervical cancer in Indonesia. Médecine Palliative, 19(3), 160–167.
Osei Appiah, E., Amertil, N. P., Oti-Boadi Ezekiel, E., Lavoe, H., & Siedu, D. J. (2021). Impact of cervical cancer on the sexual and physical health of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ghana: A qualitative phenomenological study. Women’s Health, 17, 17455065211066075.
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2021). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Rao, J., Sharma, K., & Singh, R. (2025). Exploring emotional wellbeing in women with cervical cancer. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 19(3), VC01–VC04.
Sharma, D. N., Tiwari, G. K., & Rai, P. K. (2020). The spiritual beliefs of cancer survivors: A thematic analysis. Psychology, Community & Health, 8(1), 139–157.
Zhang, Q., Chen, F., Xiao, Z., Li, S., Deng, Y., Knobf, T., Li, J., & Ye, Z. (2025). Self-perceived burden, fear of progression, and psychological flexibility in cervical cancer survivors: A moderated network analysis. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 12(1), 100762.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
