Abstract
The present study aimed at understanding, through the construction of a substantive theory encompassing the experience of the losses lived by Venezuelan cancer survivors. The study was qualitative, under the emerging and projected grounded theory designs. Ten surviving cancer patients, men, and women of different ages and diagnoses, participated. We collected the information through in-depth interviews. For the analysis of data we applied the method of constant comparisons. Surviving patients experienced different losses that are not limited to health-related ones. Emotional discomfort, acceptance, and resignification delineated the experience of loss in survivors. Acceptance, promoted by optimism, hope, and social/family support, facilitated adjustment to everyday life, management of fear of cancer recurrence, guilt, and resignification of cancer and its losses. The study revealed psychosocial resources that promote adaptation to loss during cancer survival.
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