Living beyond treatment: late effects and everyday life in Faroese breast cancer survivors
- 1Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands
Abstract
Background: Advances in breast cancer treatment have increased the number of survivors, many of whom experience persistent late effects beyond treatment completion. These late effects may significantly impact everyday life; however, limited research has explored survivors’ experiences of these challenges in small-scale societies such as the Faroe Islands.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the late effects experienced by female Faroese breast cancer survivors following treatment, and how these impact their everyday lives.
Methods: A qualitative study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted. The authors’ reflexive approach to pre-understanding, openness, and dialogue was informed by Gadamerian hermeneutics. Seven breast cancer survivors in the Faroe Islands were recruited through cancer support networks and snowball sampling. Data were collected through two semi-structured focus-group interviews, one with five participants and one with two participants. The data were analyzed using IPA, with attention to individual meaning-making within the context of group interaction.
Results: Four themes were identified: (1) Fatigue Sets the Agenda for Everyday Life, (2) Transitioning from Supported Patient to Abandoned Survivor, (3) A Disruption and Reconstruction of the Sense of Self, and (4) Invisible Late Effects and Social Misunderstanding. Survivorship was described as an ongoing and demanding process, characterized by persistent physical, emotional, and social challenges. Participants described late effects as embedded in everyday life, requiring continuous adaptation, renegotiation of identity, and management of social expectations. Limited follow-up support and insufficient recognition of invisible symptoms further complicated this process.
Conclusion: Late effects following breast cancer treatment are multiple, complex, and may persist for weeks, months, and years after treatment completion. These findings highlight the need for increased information, recognition, and understanding of late effects and survivorship. Structured survivorship pathways, including individualized information, access to rehabilitation, continuity of follow-up across Faroese and Danish healthcare services, and a more gradual transition from the healthcare system, may better prepare survivors to navigate life after treatment independently.
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BibTeX
@article{glyndavies2026living,
title = {{Living beyond treatment: late effects and everyday life in Faroese breast cancer survivors}},
author = {Beinta F. Glyn-Davies and Mariann Hansen and Paula K. Ólavsdóttir and Annika H. Davidsen},
journal = {Frontiers in Oncology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fonc.2026.1944286},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1944286/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Living beyond treatment: late effects and everyday life in Faroese breast cancer survivors
AU - Beinta F. Glyn-Davies
AU - Mariann Hansen
AU - Paula K. Ólavsdóttir
AU - Annika H. Davidsen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Frontiers in Oncology
DO - 10.3389/fonc.2026.1944286
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1944286/full
AB - Background: Advances in breast cancer treatment have increased the number of survivors, many of whom experience persistent late effects beyond treatment completion. These late effects may significantly impact everyday life; however, limited research has explored survivors’ experiences of these challenges in small-scale societies such as the Faroe Islands. Aim: This study aimed to explore the late effects experienced by female Faroese breast cancer survivors following treatment, and how these impact their everyday lives. Methods: A qualitative study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted. The authors’ reflexive approach to pre-understanding, openness, and dialogue was informed by Gadamerian hermeneutics. Seven breast cancer survivors in the Faroe Islands were recruited through cancer support networks and snowball sampling. Data were collected through two semi-structured focus-group interviews, one with five participants and one with two participants. The data were analyzed using IPA, with attention to individual meaning-making within the context of group interaction. Results: Four themes were identified: (1) Fatigue Sets the Agenda for Everyday Life, (2) Transitioning from Supported Patient to Abandoned Survivor, (3) A Disruption and Reconstruction of the Sense of Self, and (4) Invisible Late Effects and Social Misunderstanding. Survivorship was described as an ongoing and demanding process, characterized by persistent physical, emotional, and social challenges. Participants described late effects as embedded in everyday life, requiring continuous adaptation, renegotiation of identity, and management of social expectations. Limited follow-up support and insufficient recognition of invisible symptoms further complicated this process. Conclusion: Late effects following breast cancer treatment are multiple, complex, and may persist for weeks, months, and years after treatment completion. These findings highlight the need for increased information, recognition, and understanding of late effects and survivorship. Structured survivorship pathways, including individualized information, access to rehabilitation, continuity of follow-up across Faroese and Danish healthcare services, and a more gradual transition from the healthcare system, may better prepare survivors to navigate life after treatment independently.
SN - 2234-943X
ER -