A Phenomenological Study of the Leading Cause of Cancer Deaths in the Philippines: The Lived and Shared Experiences of Lung Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers

Roy James Aporbo, MHAM College Inc. - College of Medical Laboratory Science
Richell Ann Villacarlos, MHAM College Inc.
Desleigh Marriz Augusto, MHAM College Inc.
Maria Kristine Tugonon, MHAM College Inc.
Lyka Genesis Baquero, MHAM College Inc.

Cancer, especially of the lungs is a multifaceted disease that affects both the patient and their primary family caregiver. This research examined the lived and shared experiences of lung cancer patients and their primarily family caregivers for not less than six (6) months of illness and caregiving duration. This research was conducted at the Cebu Cancer Institute of Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City – Philippines. It utilized a non-probability sampling method in which three (3) lung cancer patients aged 60 and above commonly received chemotherapy as treatment and their primary family caregivers were purposely selected based on a pre-determined criterion. The data collected through semi-structured, face-to-face, open-ended, and audio-recorded interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's method of thematic analysis, which is a widely accepted framework for conducting thematic analysis for analyzing qualitative data. Thematically, at the micro- and macro-level of analysis, the lung cancer patients and their primary family caregivers have shared lived experiences pertaining to various major themes of “Somatic Difficulties, Inefficiencies, and Inabilities, Increased Accountability, Silent Grief, Social and Spiritual Support, and Fulfillment in Caregiving”. Thus, patient care and efficacious psychosocial interventions can be made in consideration of both subjects based on their perceptions of illness severity, ultimately improves social development focused on healthcare and caregiving.

Keywords: Families, Unions and Households, Health and Morbidity, Data and Methods, Data visualisation

See extended abstract.