Resilience in the face of aggression : coping strategies of women with triple negative breast cancer

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, characterized by poor prognosis, lack of targeted therapies, and significant impact on younger women. Coping with a TNBC diagnosis requires extensive strategies, yet there is a dearth of literature targeting this aspect. This study contributes through an in-depth exploration of the coping strategies of adult women diagnosed with TNBC. Eleven participants aged 26–63 years were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Five themes emerged: reaching out for support; remaining present for family; searching for meaning; regaining control through lifestyle changes and distraction. Coping strategies were identified as multidimensional and synergistic, encompassing social support that provides emotional and informational resources; spirituality that offers existential meaning and resilience; lifestyle modifications that enhance physical and psychological self-regulation; and cognitive strategies, such as information seeking and distraction, that facilitate adjustment to stressors. These results underscore the need for personalized survivorship care that addresses the well-being of TNBC patients, acknowledging the interconnected nature of their coping mechanisms.