Stress management program for health care providers in a healthcare setting

Abstract

Testicular cancer, though not very common in men, may have a great impact on their lives. The majority of those diagnosed with a testicular malignancy in Lebanon are below the age of 32 i.e. at the peak of their reproductive and professional lives. The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of Lebanese testicular cancer survivors, with a focus on their sexual life.A qualitative descriptive design using semi structured interviews was utilized. A purposive sample of adults with testicular cancer was recruited from the clinics of an oncologist and an urologist. Inclusion criteria were: (1) holding the Lebanese nationality; (2) age between 18 and 50 years; (3) in remission for at least three years; (4) willing to share personal information. Data saturation was achieved after the seventh interview, but a total of eight participants were recruited. Interviews were conducted at a place and time chosen by each participant. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim in Arabic. The opening question was: “Tell me about your life since you got treated for testicular cancer.” Probing was used for elaboration. Two to three weeks following the interview, the summary of each interview was read to participants over the phone for member check.Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze verbal and non-verbal data obtained from the participants. Data collection and analysis took place concurrently. The themes that emerged from the collected data were: cultural views of cancer, concealing cancer diagnosis, cancer experience is a turning point in one’s life, concern about fertility, coping with cancer and its consequences, and unaffected aspects of life. A number of categories were identified for each theme.In the absence of related literature in Lebanon, the study findings provide an understanding of the experience of Lebanese testicular cancer survivors, which can be only described by the survivors themselves. The results suggest the need to educate patients about testicular