Cancer patients' effort to return to normal life: a hermeneutic study

Background The increasing population of patients with cancer highlights the need to develop an understanding of the patients' lived experiences. Objective The purpose of our study was to explore the lived experiences of Iranian patients regarding living with cancer. Methods A hermeneutic phenomenological study was performed. Twelve patients with cancer were interviewed to understand their lived experiences. We employed the seven‐stage hermeneutical process of data analysis. Findings One constitutive pattern ‘cancer patients' effort to return to normal life' and two associated themes, namely ‘pass through limitations and challenges' and ‘emotional and informational support seeking', were identified. ‘Pass through limitations and challenges' had two subcategories: ‘acceptance of reality' and ‘resist cultural taboos'. ‘Emotional and informational support seeking' also had two subcategories: ‘family and friends support' and ‘healthcare providers support'. Conclusion The findings present better understanding of the lived experiences of patients with cancer in Iran regarding the phenomena under the study. Implications for Practice Nurses have an obligation to educate patients with cancer about anticipated changes in their life.