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A Heideggerian Hermeneutic Study of the Meaning of Living With Prostate Cancer

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Whole thesis(1.86 MB)

Date

2009

Authors

Supervisor

Solomon, Margot

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Master of Health Science

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand men and the second highest cause of male deaths. This Heideggerian study explores the experience of six men, with prostate cancer: five of whom were approximately five months post a robotic prostatectomy and one man post brachytherapy. The purpose of the study is to understand and describe the meaning men attach to the disease using a hermeneutic existential phenomenological approach to research. Four themes emerged from the interviews: 1) Disappointment, 2) Being-a-man, 3) Sense of Control, and 4) Life-Threatening Disease. The findings of the study suggest men's identities changed due to the side effects of treatments, the need of a sense of control to deal with the disease, and the importance of understanding prostate cancer as a potentially life-threatening disease within the Heideggerian concept of "being-towards-death". Using this concept future research was also identified. The outcomes of the study suggest implications for health professionals in promoting existential care to the men by listening and taking into account their concerns.

Description

Keywords

Prostate cancer, Heidegger, Phenomenology, Disappointment, Being-a-man, Sense of control, Life-threatening disease.

Source

DOI

Publisher's version

Rights statement

Permanent link

https://hdl.handle.net/10292/909

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Masters Theses