Experiences of wife of women with a gynecological cancer diagnosis

Objective: This study was conducted as a qualitative study to examine the experiences of the spouses of women diagnosed with gynecological cancer. Method: In this study, interpretive phenomenological design was used. The sample of the study consists of 10 participants, consisting of the spouses of women diagnosed with gynecological cancer. The research data were collected between November 2019 and December 2020, through individual in-depth interviews, using a semi-structured interview form and observation notes. The data were analyzed in the qualitative data analysis program MAXQDA20. Content analysis was done according to Granaheim and Lundman. In the reporting of the research, the Qualitative Research Reporting Consolidated Criteria are used as a reference. Results: Six themes and 18 sub-themes were obtained as a result of the interviews with the participants. Cancer disease and the situations experienced by individuals during the treatment process are explained with the theme of emotional trauma. Within this theme, there are "denial" and "disappointment" subthemes. There are subthemes of "fear of death", "uncertainty" and "fear of contamination" in the theme of living in the shadow of death. In the multidimensional change theme, there are subthemes of "change in sexual life", "change in gender roles" and "lifestyle change". The sub-themes of "getting professional support", "getting social support" and "getting support from family members" are included in the theme of being with you. The subthemes of "loneliness", "hopelessness", "economic difficulties" and "burnout" are included within the theme of cancer burden. There are subthemes of "belief system", "affirmation" and "dreams about the future" within the spiritual coping theme, which is the last theme. Conclusion: Being diagnosed with gynecological cancer caused individual, social and psychological changes in women's spouses. After the diagnosis of cancer, emotional shock, multidimensional change and cancer burden caused by cancer treatment emerged in the spouses. It was found that the participants were with their spouses diagnosed with gynecological cancer and they tried to support them at every stage.