Post-Traumatic Growth in Young and Middle-Aged Breast Cancer Patients After Modified Radical Mastectomy: A Phenomenological Study

Qiuyu Gu,1,2 Hongxia Hua,3 Linan Du,1 Haiying Liu2 1Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People’s Republic of China; 2Healthcare-Associated Infection Management Office, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Oncology, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Haiying Liu, Healthcare-associated Infection Management Office, Jiangnan University Medical Center, No. 68, Zhongshan Road, Liangxi District, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214002, People’s Republic of China, Email 437225715@qq.comBackground: Breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent modified radical mastectomy represent a profound psychological threat for young and middle-aged patients, potentially serving as a catalyst for post-traumatic growth. However, the subjective lived experience of post-traumatic growth in this specific population remains poorly understood, limiting the development of targeted psychosocial support.Purpose: To explore the lived experience of post-traumatic growth in young and middle-aged breast cancer patients after modified radical mastectomy, providing a reference for individualized nursing interventions in clinical practice.Patients and Methods: Using phenomenological research methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 young and middle-aged breast cancer patients after modified radical mastectomy. The results were organized and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological data analysis method, and themes were extracted.Results: The refined themes can be divided into three main themes and six subthemes: traumatic experiences (disease burden, psychological burden), psychological adaptation (multifaceted social support, proactive self-coping), and self-growth (positive transformation, planning for a bright future).Conclusion: Our findings reveal that post-traumatic growth in young and middle-aged breast cancer patients after modified radical mastectomy is dynamic, influenced by multiple factors. This necessitates personalized, stage-specific nursing interventions and robust social support to facilitate psychological adjustment and promote growth.Keywords: post-traumatic growth, breast neoplasms, mastectomy, modified radical, young adult, middle aged, phenomenology