AIM AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS
cancer
CANCER, LATE EFFECTS
Surviving cancer successfully entails more than just immediate physical survival. It has been well established that AYA cancer survivors have a higher risk of long‐term and late effects of cancer, and they are in a unique phase of life in regard to psychosocial, cognitive and emotional transitions.This study attempted to establish a better understanding of what it is like to make the transition from being sick to being well, struggling with side effects of cancer, while also transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Conducting a narrative analysis, allowed us to arrive at a broader understanding of how the AYA cancer survivors talk about their illness experiences and what truths they reveal about themselves. The aim was to explore how illness stories help survivors negotiate a new identity based on their illness experiences. Moreover, we explored the ethical implications inherent in these stories to health care professionals in general and general practitioners in particular. The following questions were addressed:What particular challenges do AYA cancer survivors have?How do they view themselves in light of their illness experiences?To what extent do AYA cancer survivors feel their concerns are addressed and understood by their medical caregivers?