Centralizing Temporality in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship.

Drawing on Gadamer's hermeneutic philosophy, this article presents a key outcome of broader research into the phenomenon of adolescent and young adult cancer survivorship. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with 45 participants from Australia, England, and the United States. The participants received a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 15 and 29 years and were aged 18 to 40 years at the time of interview. The key analytical finding depicts the concept of time as central to the experiences in survivorship. Altered beliefs in temporal progression and biographical chronology affected the organization of time, the structuring and value of life events, and the use of time as a resource. The significance of temporality in young survivors' experiences warrants its centrality in the design of survivorship care models that reflect a broader understanding of the life experiences of this population.

Identity, image, and sexuality in young adults with cancer.

The impact of disease and treatment on a young adult's self-image and sexuality has been largely overlooked. This is surprising given that establishing social and romantic relationships is a normal occurrence in young adulthood. This article describes three female patients' cancer journeys and demonstrates how their experiences have impacted their psychosocial function and self-regard. The themes of body image, self-esteem, and identity formation are explored, in relation to implications for relationship-building and moving beyond a cancer diagnosis. This article has been written by young cancer survivors, Danielle Tindle, Kelly Denver, and Faye Lilley, in an effort to elucidate the ongoing struggle to reconcile cancer into a normal young adult's life.