Psychological Influences of Individuals with Cancer in Remission

We conducted a qualitative research study, interviewing 25 cancer survivors regarding their personal constructs of coping and adjustment of having cancer in remission. Two themes emerged from the data. One was that participants spoke of desires to engage each day with a carpe diem attitude. They shared numerous accounts of how life’s brevity became an experienced reality for them, and they wished to capitalize on what life offered daily. Second, the cancer survivors related deliberate alterations of their daily habits. Health became a more paramount concern for these individuals; and eating habits, sun exposure, exercise, and other similar measures were infused into new daily routines. We relate the findings to the broader psychological literature regarding coping, handling anxiety, and integrating physical and psychological health.