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Promoting healthy diet among long-term cancer survivors: Examining cancer salience and identity
We present data from a thematic analysis of pairs of qualitative interviews with 53 individuals who completed acute treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, breast and prostate cancer at least two years prior. We focus on the salience of cancer in how people conceptualize themselves, and the importance one’s cancer experience in the years following acute treatment. From a phenomenological perspective, we describe ways in which people either adopt or reject the label of ‘cancer survivor’ and suggest implications of the complexities of identity, and sense of self and community for health promotion. Interviews also yielded descriptions of dietary changes undertaken alongside rationales for such attempts, accounts of successes and explanations for setbacks. The analysis will consider the relevance of self concept and cancer experiences for current dietary behaviors and attempts to improve diet with a goal of guiding future intervention efforts.
Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciencesLearning Objectives:
Evaluate the importance of lifestyle behaviors for healthy survivorship after cancer treatment
Discuss how self concept and salience of cancer experience may be influential for effective health promotion for people with a cancer history
Describe possible barriers and facilitators to healthy diet among long-term cancer survivors
Keyword(s): Cancer, Behavioral Research
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI of this project and have over 10 years experience conducting research on behaviors related to cancer.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.