Abstract CN52
Background
The overall survival of patients with colorectal cancer has improved significantly with current treatments including the chemotherapeutic drug oxaliplatin. However, oxaliplatin can induce peripheral neuropathy and cause long-term problems with e.g. sensations, coordination, balance, sense of movement and body position, and fine motor control. Still, we lack knowledge about how the survivors perceive and understand these chronic sensory disturbances in their everyday life. Therefore, the study aims to explore how survivors experience and give meaning to the phenomenon of chronic sensory disturbances in their everyday life after oxaliplatin treatment for colorectal cancer.
Methods
The study design was guided by existential phenomenology and descriptive life-world research as the methodological approach. Data was obtained through drawings and semi-structured interviews with 8 survivors that experienced sensory disturbances at least one year after adjuvant treatment with oxaliplatin was completed. Data was analyzed by phenomenological reflection.
Results
The essential meaning of sensory disturbances emerged in two main themes and four sub-themes. Theme A: ‘A peculiar experience that is difficult to logically understand’ elaborated in the subthemes; ‘An ambiguous perception in hands and feet’ and ‘Being alienated from one’s own body’. Theme B: ‘Changes in sensitivity of hands and feet create a distance from the world’ elaborated in subthemes: ‘A lack of sensory contact with physical surfaces’ and ‘Breakdown of sensitivity in hands hampers fine motor skills and social contact’.
Conclusions
Sensory disturbances have far-reaching consequences on everyday life after treatment for colorectal cancer with oxaliplatin as they appear incomprehensible and difficult to describe due to their pre-objective character. They influence the participants’ ability to connect to things and other people which means a breakdown in everyday unreflective being. Drawings may help the unified body-subject and healthcare professionals to grasp a new understanding of the phenomenon and its meaning.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
B. Pedersen.
Funding
Novo Nordic Fundation.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.