| Using a hermeneutic phenomenology approach, this study explored the impact of thyroid cancer on young adult women's quality of life. Nine women aged 19 to 34, and diagnosed with thyroid cancer between 1 and 5 years ago, participated in two in-depth semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that women experienced 1) a disruption of taken-for-granted assumptions and behaviors; 2) a lost sense of normalcy; and 3) a lack of adequate psychosocial support. Three participants reported an ongoing significant and negative impact on their quality of life, two reported little impact, and the remainder found their thyroid cancer journeys extremely challenging, yet they were slowly healing and moving towards wellness. The study concluded that, despite its excellent prognosis, surviving thyroid cancer is not necessarily associated with thriving. Psychosocial outcomes may be improved by increasing public awareness of thyroid cancer as a serious illness, and providing organized emotional support. |
