Exploring the critical factor towards positive quality of life among breast cancer survivors

Breast cancer had become one of the most common disease among female in Malaysia. Hence this study was proposed to explore the factor towards positive quality of life among breast cancer survivors as the issue raised due to the increasing population of breast cancer survivors. In this qualitative study of phenamonolgical design, nine breast cancer survivors who attend the informal MAKNA meeting at Social Work Department, Taiping Hospital were recruited by using purposive sampling method. The raw data obtained in face-to-face interviews carried out in individual setting with several semi structured question as a guidance were then analysed by using thematic analysis method. There are five theme emerged which are spiritual belief, optimism and positive thinking, awareness, lifestyle and pleasurable activities. Optimism and positive thinking was most frequently mentioned by the informants followed by the spiritual belief. Almost all the informants had mentioned that spiritual belief and optimism and positive thinking allowed them to have faith while going through their treatment and recover from the threat of breast cancer physically and psychologically. As most of the research with related topic conducted in Malaysia were done with quantitative method, the finding of this qualitative study is expected to provide a broad direction for the further study in this topic. Besides, the findings of this study will be able to provide preliminary information to the others breast cancer survivors on how to cope with cancer. Hence, better adjustment with the illness towards positive quality of life will be achieved.