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conferenceseries.com
Volume 2, Issue 2 (Suppl) Breast Can Curr Res
ISSN: 2572-4118 BCCR, an open access journal Breast Cancer Summit 2017
May 08-10, 2017
May 08-10, 2017 Singapore
4th World Congress on
Breast Cancer
The Buddhist coping experience of breast cancer survivors: A phenomenological approach
Lai Oi Ling, Stuart McClean and Mary Mitchell
Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Aim: To be or not to be a breast cancer survivor? This study aimed to explore the spiritual impact of the Buddhist beliefs as a lived
experience on breast cancer survivorship in Hong Kong culture.
Method: A phenomenological research design guided in data collection. A purposive sample of ten breast cancer survivors coming from
the Soka Gakkai International, Fo Guang Shan was interviewed two times. Twenty semi-structured, in-depth and face to face interviews
are conducted in the community. All of them recites the Buddhist Sutra and perform different meditation practices every day. Their
unique lifeworld stories reflected on the Hong Kong healthcare context. Two layers data reduction included the thematic analysis and the
vanManen's method. The researcher conceptualized themes under the lived space, lived body, lived time, and lived human relations. The
hermeneutics approach elaborated the participant's life including being, being-with-others, and being-in-the-world.
Result: These women expressed that the Buddhist mindfulness and chanting meditation have led them to be open and to accept
all experiences in their way. The survivors perceived breast cancer as an opportunity to discover their own Buddhahood no matter
what difficulties they encountered. Two significant stresses came from the suffering during the treatment and fulfilling the role as a
mother. Four Buddhist coping themes were (a) transforming their negative karma, (b) opening up own Buddhahood, (c) fulfilling the
Bodhisattvas identity, and (d) hope and future. All of them had performed two patterns including "to actualize their essence of life"
and "to study and practice their Buddhist faith." Body and mind changed from passive, "being help by others" to active, "to empower
and encourage other people."
Conclusion: Searching the meaning of life is important to help them cope with the adversity in living with cancer. The author suggests
the cancer survivors define the ultimate goal in life and explore the significance of faith which empowers them to achieve happiness
in their unique way.
Biography
Lai Oi Ling has done her professional Doctorate in the year 2012 from the University of the West of England. She is the Registered Nurse in Hospital Authority and
a member of the Hong Kong Soka Gakkai International. She is actively participating in the Hong Kong Cancer Fund as a Volunteer Lecturer in patient education.
Lai Oi Ling et al., Breast Can Curr Res 2017, 2:2(Suppl)