Abstract PO2-05-10: 'I am Still Alive': An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Older Women Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background: Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is cancer that has spread from the primary organ (breast) to other distant organs such as bone, spine, lungs, brain, and liver. It is a treatable but incurable cancer. While the burden of mBC is devastating to all patients, older mBC patients have poorer prognoses, poor access to care and experience social isolation. This current study is aimed to explore the experiences of older women living with mBC and the impact of belonging to a peer support group (PSG) in Nigeria. Method: Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), eight women living with mBC aged 50 and above participated in the semi-structured interview. Results: Our findings showed that participants encountered psychological, physiological, and social challenges that are interrelated across four central themes: “Tormented by Pain,” “I am the One that is Going to Die,” “I am Not alone,” and “Winning the ‘war’ against mBC.” While the experiences of older women living with mBC were dominated by different levels of pain, death anxiety, stigma, and financial burden; belonging to a PSG brought participants hope, information, self-worth, and courage. Conclusion: This study has shown PSG should be an important component of cancer control. Hence, healthcare leaders should support and fund the establishment of PSG across Nigeria. Whether mBC is curable or not, the last days of older women living with mBC should be filled with dignity, peer support, and the absence of pain. Citation Format: Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Khadijat Banwo-Fatai, Agha A. Agha, Onyedikachi C. Nwakanma-Akanno, Donnette Narine, Takashi Yamashita, Alejandra Platas, Jennifer Kinney, Phyllis Cummins, Fatima Cardoso. 'I am Still Alive': An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Older Women Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-05-10.