Lived Experience of Cancer Survivors Treated at Tertiary Care Center of Eastern Nepal: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Cancer is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. Advances in early detection and treatment have increased survival rates, but life after cancer remains challenging, especially in countries like Nepal, where limited qualitative research explores
survivors’ post-treatment experiences. This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of cancer survivors.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among seventeen cancer survivors at a tertiary care hospital following approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference Number: IRC-26-2082/83). Participants were selected through consecutive sampling. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded manually and analyzed using thematic analysis, along with descriptive statistics for socio-demographic data.
Results: Among the seventeen participants, thirteen were female, with a mean age of 47.18±11.36 years. Thematic analysis generated six major themes and several sub themes related to emotional reactions at diagnosis, physical challenges during treatment, financial burden, the importance of family and social support, coping strategies for emotional and psychological difficulties, and experiences with healthcare services.
Conclusions: Cancer survivorship involves complex physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive care that goes beyond treatment, emphasizing the need for stronger emotional support, accessible healthcare services, and financial assistance to improve the overall well-being of cancer survivors.