SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE ANALYSIS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER

In this article the psychological experience and needs shown in the discourse of women diagnosed with breast cancer in a psychological group intervention were analyzed. The sessions are transcribed and a discourse analysis is performed, selecting the most prevailing topics. The main psychological difficulties perceived by the participants are the following: body identity change, sexuality changes, new quality of interpersonal relationships, implications of positive thinking culture, fear of recurrence, the relationship with the hospital staff, and change after diagnosis. The aspects that the group considered helpful are also addressed, i.e. feeling understood by the others, seeing the rest of participants as coping models, changing their relationship with the illness. Several clinical implications are highlighted in order to improve a comprehensive care.