Caring Through Pain: Indonesian Families’ Experiences During Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients
- 1Nursing Study Program, Universitas Widya Husada Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia.
- 2Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.
- 3Nursing Program, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia.
Abstract
Purpose:: This study aims to explore the lived experiences of families caring for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, focusing on the multidimensional impacts and coping mechanisms in the Indonesian cultural context.
Method:: Using Van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological approach, this qualitative study involved 20 family members of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at a government hospital in Semarang, Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, supported by field notes and demographic questionnaires. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software and Colaizzi’s method to extract key themes and subthemes.
Results:: Four major themes emerged: (1) information on the impact of chemotherapy, which included physical, psychological, and socioeconomic changes experienced by patients and observed by families; (2) unpreparedness to face side effects, revealing families’ confusion and emotional responses due to a lack of knowledge; (3) The need for adequate information and support, highlighting the demand for clear communication and psychological guidance from healthcare providers; and (4) Hope and the meaning of being a caregiver, in which families found renewed strength, spiritual growth, and purpose throughout the caregiving journey. These findings highlight the complex emotional and social dynamics that families encounter during the cancer treatment process.
Conclusions:: Chemotherapy has a profound impact not only on patients but also on their families. A lack of preparedness and insufficient support intensify emotional and practical burdens. Therefore, a culturally sensitive, family-centered nursing intervention is crucial to enhance family resilience, ensure effective caregiving, and improve overall quality of life during cancer treatment in developing countries. Such culturally sensitive, family-centered nursing support is essential to strengthen caregiver resilience, reduce burden, and improve the quality of life for both patients and families during chemotherapy.
Related
- Exploring Indonesian midwives’ training experiences and knowledge related to cervical screening and HPV DNA testing in East Nusa Tenggara province
- Maternal stress in families of children with special healthcare needs: The role of healthcare experiences
- ZBTB1 Regulates Glycolysis and Chemotherapy Resistance Through Interacting with c-Myc in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
- SMARCA4 MUTATIONS PROMOTE CHEMOTHERAPY RESISTANCE IN T-ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA THROUGH ALTERED CHROMATIN REMODELING AT AP1-ASSOCIATED REGULATORY REGIONS
- Fear of progression as a mediator between symptom burden and social alienation in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
BibTeX
@article{retnaningsih2026caring,
title = {{Caring Through Pain: Indonesian Families’ Experiences During Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients}},
author = {Dwi Retnaningsih and Nursalam Nursalam and Hanik Endang Nihayati and Ferry Efendi and Kristiawati Kristiawati and Dera Alfiyanti},
journal = {Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2079},
url = {https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2079},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Caring Through Pain: Indonesian Families’ Experiences During Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients
AU - Dwi Retnaningsih
AU - Nursalam Nursalam
AU - Hanik Endang Nihayati
AU - Ferry Efendi
AU - Kristiawati Kristiawati
AU - Dera Alfiyanti
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/19
JO - Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
DO - 10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2079
UR - https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2079
AB - Purpose:: This study aims to explore the lived experiences of families caring for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, focusing on the multidimensional impacts and coping mechanisms in the Indonesian cultural context. Method:: Using Van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological approach, this qualitative study involved 20 family members of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at a government hospital in Semarang, Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, supported by field notes and demographic questionnaires. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software and Colaizzi’s method to extract key themes and subthemes. Results:: Four major themes emerged: (1) information on the impact of chemotherapy, which included physical, psychological, and socioeconomic changes experienced by patients and observed by families; (2) unpreparedness to face side effects, revealing families’ confusion and emotional responses due to a lack of knowledge; (3) The need for adequate information and support, highlighting the demand for clear communication and psychological guidance from healthcare providers; and (4) Hope and the meaning of being a caregiver, in which families found renewed strength, spiritual growth, and purpose throughout the caregiving journey. These findings highlight the complex emotional and social dynamics that families encounter during the cancer treatment process. Conclusions:: Chemotherapy has a profound impact not only on patients but also on their families. A lack of preparedness and insufficient support intensify emotional and practical burdens. Therefore, a culturally sensitive, family-centered nursing intervention is crucial to enhance family resilience, ensure effective caregiving, and improve overall quality of life during cancer treatment in developing countries. Such culturally sensitive, family-centered nursing support is essential to strengthen caregiver resilience, reduce burden, and improve the quality of life for both patients and families during chemotherapy.
SN - 1513-7368
SN - 2476-762X
ER -