Files and links (1)
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
Papillary Thyroid Cancer: The Good and Bad of the “Good Cancer”
Thyroid (New York, N.Y.), v 27(7), pp 92-907
01 Jul 2017
PMID: 28510505
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background:
Papillary thyroid cancer is often described as the “good cancer” because of its treatability and relatively favorable survival rates. This study sought to characterize the thoughts of papillary thyroid cancer patients as they relate to having the “good cancer.”
Methods:
This qualitative study included 31 papillary thyroid cancer patients enrolled in an ongoing randomized trial. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants at the preoperative visit and two weeks, six weeks, six months, and one year after thyroidectomy. Grounded theory was used, inductively coding the first 113 interview transcripts with NVivo 11.
Results:
The concept of thyroid cancer as “good cancer” emerged unprompted from 94% (
n
= 29) of participants, mostly concentrated around the time of diagnosis. Patients encountered this perception from healthcare providers, Internet research, friends, and preconceived ideas about other cancers. While patients generally appreciated optimism, this perspective also generated negative feelings. It eased the diagnosis of cancer but created confusion when individual experiences varied from expectations. Despite initially feeling reassured, participants described feeling the “good cancer” characterization invalidated their fears of having cancer. Thyroid cancer patients expressed that they did not want to hear that it's “only thyroid cancer” and that it's “no big deal,” because “cancer is cancer,” and it is significant.
Conclusions:
Patients with papillary thyroid cancer commonly confront the perception that their malignancy is “good,” but the favorable prognosis and treatability of the disease do not comprehensively represent their cancer fight. The “good cancer” perception is at the root of many mixed and confusing emotions. Clinicians emphasize optimistic outcomes, hoping to comfort, but they might inadvertently invalidate the impact thyroid cancer has on patients' lives.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Papillary Thyroid Cancer: The Good and Bad of the “Good Cancer”
- Creators
- Reese W. Randle - University of Wisconsin–MadisonNorah M. Bushman - University of Wisconsin–MadisonJason Orne - Drexel UniversityCourtney J. Balentine - University of Alabama at BirminghamElizabeth Wendt - University of Wisconsin–MadisonMegan Saucke - University of Wisconsin–MadisonSusan C. Pitt - University of Wisconsin–MadisonCameron L. Macdonald - 2 Qualitative Health Research Consultants , Madison, Wisconsin.Nadine P. Connor - University of Wisconsin–MadisonRebecca S. Sippel - University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Publication Details
- Thyroid (New York, N.Y.), v 27(7), pp 92-907
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Sociology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000404987500005
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85022224558
- Other Identifier
- 991019168988304721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Endocrinology & Metabolism