"Life gives you a lemon, you make lemonade": a qualitative study of identity among young male adult cancer survivors.

purposeThis study aimed to explore how male young adult cancer survivors (YACSs), aged 18-39, reconstruct and make sense of their identity following the completion of cancer treatment by answering the research question: "How do male YACS perceive and interpret changes in their identity following cancer treatment?

methodsA qualitative approach with an interpretive descriptive design was employed. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Agency and Communion, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 male YACS. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using Systematic Text Condensation.

resultsThe findings indicate that the identities of male YACS underwent significantly transformation following cancer treatment. The overarching theme "A changed and matured identity" was identified and elaborated by three main themes (1) "I feel like an old man", (2) "My values and perspectives have changed", and (3) "I have some advice to share". Participants reported impaired physical, cognitive and social capacities, which contributed to shift in their sense of self. These changes required them to adapt to new life circumstances, often affecting their ability to pursue age-normative goals critical to identity development.

conclusionThe findings indicate that the participants' pre-cancer identities, which emphasized agentic qualities over communal ones, were significantly altered. Post-treatment, they experienced a reorientation of values and priorities, shifting from an agentic to more communal self-perception contributing to the development of a more mature identity and a revised outlook on life. These findings may serve as a foundational basis for future research and to inform the development of clinical practices.