The Experience of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in People with Cancer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of adult cancer patients living with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). METHODS: Data were collected from January 2018 to April 2018 through in-depth interviews with nine patients of colorectal and breast cancer. The main question was, ‘What is your experience living with CIPN such as tingling and/or numbness?’. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: Three theme clusters and six themes emerged (1) unusual body change; ‘experience of unusual distressing symptoms’, ‘daily activities and functioning affected’, (2) CIPN a less important risk; ‘CIPN a distressing and have to endure’, ‘lack of concern and therapeutic communication’, (3) struggle for distressing CIPN through trial and error; ‘try all the remedies that can do’, ‘getting used to distressing CIPN’. CONCLUSION: These results showed that patients did not consider CIPN important until symptoms affected daily activities and QOL. They then tried self-management strategies to deal with CIPN through trial and error. A two-way exchange of information between patients and health professionals could help patients understand CIPN and deal with symptoms if they occur.