"I do not Allow Myself to be Harmed, it is a Luxury; I have two Children who Need Me”: Remarks for Planning an Experiential Research Methodology in Women who have Undergone Mastectomy due to Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is a severe disease, which in combination with mastectomy poses particular psychosocial problems. After mastectomy, once the threat to life has been dealt with, intense psychosocial processes are caused to the woman who is trying to come in terms with the new body image, creating a new concept for themselves and their social identity, as women, mothers and companions. The woman’s breast is connected with sexuality as well as motherhood and thus, mastectomy problematizes the very foundations of female identity. The goal of this research is to prove, through biographical interview, the lived experience of breast cancer utilizing the meaning of biographical disruption. This paper presents critical remarks for a qualitative research, in order to record with reliability the way women rearrange their life, reconstructing their identity after mastectomy. We suggest the use of narrative method, combined with a research planning based on Grounded theory and the meaning of “biographical disruption”.