Story topics (domains) |
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Diagnosis |
Feelings about diagnosis |
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Treatment |
Decision-making about treatment: (1) having no choice, (2) breast conserving surgery or mastectomy?, (3) adjuvant treatment or not?, (4) reconstruction or not?, (5) prophylactic mastectomy of other breast, (6) ovary removal, (7) other |
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Coping with treatment |
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Treatment side effects:(1) arm lymphedema, (2) hair loss, (3) fatigue, (4) nerve pain, (5) hot flashes, (6) skin problems, (7) other |
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Health care system |
Delay in/errors at diagnosis |
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Waiting for test results |
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Contact with medical staff: (1) support, (2) lack of understanding |
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How treatment was performed: (1) satisfied, (2) dissatisfied |
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Second opinion |
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Living with it |
Work and insurances |
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Family and friends: (1) support, (2) lack of understanding, (3) talking with and worrying about |
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Body image and sexuality: (1) (partly) missing a breast, (2) partner’s reaction |
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Pregnancy issues: (1) pregnant at diagnosis, (2) wanting to become pregnant after treatments |
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Coping with breast cancer: (1) thinking (emotional-focused coping), (2) doing (problem-focused coping) |
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Practical advices |
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Concerns about heredity |
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Coping with metastasized breast cancer |
Writer profile (personal characteristics) |
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Age at diagnosis |
Number of years |
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Time since diagnosis |
Number of months |
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Partner |
(1) No, (2) yes |
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Children |
(1) No, (2) yes |
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Treatment received |
(1) Breast conserving therapy, (2) mastectomy, (3) radiation therapy, (4) chemotherapy, (5) hormonal therapy, (6) immuno therapy (herceptin), (7) breast reconstruction, (8) lymph node dissection |
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Phase in the course of disease |
(1) In first treatment period, (2) free of cancer, (3) cancer for second time, (4) metastasized cancer, (5) passed away |