The omnipresence of cancer

The study described in this article addressed the phenomena of living with a diagnosis ofcolorectal cancer. Rationale for undertaking the research was that a need had been identi-f|ed to describe the experience of living with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer and what thismeans to an individual.To explore the lived experience of colorectal cancer, a phenomeno-logical study was undertaken based on Heidegger’s philosophy as presented in his seminalwork ‘Being and Time’. Seven patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer were interviewedover a time-span of 13 months. Patients participating in the study were recruited fromthree Swiss hospitals. Data were analysed by following Colaizzi’s eight-step process as citedin Haase (1987, p 66 -- 67). Analysis identif|ed one main category: ‘The Omnipresence ofCancer’ and two sub-categories: ‘Towards Authentic Dasein’ (Towards Authentic Being)and ‘Mapping out the Future’.The research demonstrated that having received a diagnosisof cancer means an individual is faced with the potential of lifelong illness and death, feelsstigmatised by the diagnosis and is classif|ed as belonging to an illness group. Individuals whohave been diagnosed with colorectal cancer need to talk with health-care professionalsabout their experiences and concerns. It is important that in-depth discussions occurbetween patients and health-care professionals so that the patient’s questions anduncertainties may be addressed.