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ABSTRACT
This research focuses on how nine men recall their adaptation trajectory to their spouses’
ovarian cancer. The qualitative analysis made use of the grounded theory approach; semi-
structured interviews were conducted with husbands accompanying their spouses during
their treatments in an ultra-specialized unit for gynaecological cancers in a Montreal
hospital. Our results show that after the initial shock initiated by the announcement, the
respondents develop a set of strategies, first to protect their wives and themselves, and
then to attack the illness. Accompanying their wives through the experience of cancer
proves to be, for the husbands, a transformative experience at all levels: personal,
conjugal, and social. The perceived efficacy of the health network and its preoccupation
with the husband’s caretaker role may explain the sharp contrast we observe between
results from the literature, insisting on the husbands’ helplessness in such a context, and
our data, which underline their fighting spirit. Other factors identified are the strength of
the conjugal link, forged in common ordeals, personality traits of both husbands and
wives, and support from their personal network.
Concerning nursing practice, this research suggests that the importance and the support
given by the health professionals to the family caregivers is of utmost importance for the
couple’s quality of life throughout this experience. Besides, the coordination of the health
professionals, throughout the women’s illness, is crucial in diminishing the anxiety linked
to the cancer diagnosis. The duplication of such a study in other cancer care units would
allow a finer analysis of the impact the health network can have on the adaptation of both
spouses to illness.
Key words: Adaptation process, grounded theory, ovarian cancer, family caregivers,
spouses, partners, family support, health professionals