PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experience of breast cancer self-help group activities in Korea.
METHODS
The data were collected via individual in-depth interviews with 8 women with breast cancer, who participated in self-help groups during 2012~2013. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed, and they were analyzed using a phenomenological method.
RESULTS
Six theme clusters were identified. "Breakthrough toward survival" describes how the participants identified self-help groups and got involved in the activities. "Genuine comfort obtained by 'misery loves company' deals with the emotional relief and catharsis. "New life fully recharged" demonstrates the changed belief system and the joy for life and living. "Rebirth in family" deals with how family dynamics has been changed. "Societal change by raising collective consciousness" illustrates many activities to improve their rights and advocate employment issues. "Obstacles to the group harmony" illustrates the major difficulties including interpersonal conflicts the participants encountered during their participation.
CONCLUSION
The results of the study showed that participating in self-help groups was mostly beneficial for women with breast cancer. Therefore, oncology professionals need to encourage them to participate in self-help groups and also need to provide professional support to self-help groups for their harmonious interpersonal relationships.

Citations

• Health-related quality of life of premenopausal young breast cancer survivors undergoing endocrine therapy
  Kyungmi Lee, Hye Suk Jun
  European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2024; 68: 102496.     CrossRef
• Experiences of peer support activities and the need for a metaverse-based program in young women with breast cancer: A qualitative study
  Jeonghee Ahn, Kyoung-eun Lee
  Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing.2023; 10(7): 100253.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Accessing Medical Services after Diagnosis in Breast Cancer Survivors
  Jae Woo Oh, Mi Ran Kim
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2022; 25(1): 22.     CrossRef
• Operation Experiences of Women with Breast Cancer
  Hyeon-Young Kim, Sun Hwa Shin
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2020; 27(2): 129.     CrossRef
• Relationships Among Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Community Participation in Breast Cancer Survivors
  Hye-Mi Kim, Gyeong-A Park, Jin-Ju Park, Myung-Hwa Oh
  Journal of Korean Society of Occupational Therapy.2019; 27(4): 69.     CrossRef
• Journey through the Fight against Ovarian Cancer: Finding the Existence Value with being Tied to the Bridle of Death
  Young-Suk Park, Jeong Sook Park
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2018; 30(6): 656.     CrossRef
• Effect of empowerment on the quality of life of the survivors of breast cancer: The moderating effect of self‐help group participation
  Sunhwa Shin, Hyojung Park
  Japan Journal of Nursing Science.2017; 14(4): 311.     CrossRef
• Analysis of Nursing Needs of Home-dwelling Breast Cancer Patients Based on Counselling Contents
  Eun Ja Kim, Jin Sook Hyun, Jung Hwa Han, Nahyun Kim
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2016; 30(3): 420.     CrossRef
• Exploring Existential Coping Resources: The Perspective of Koreans with Cancer
  Fereshteh Ahmadi, Jisung Park, Kyung Mee Kim, Nader Ahmadi
  Journal of Religion and Health.2016; 55(6): 2053.     CrossRef
• Experiences of Self-management Support among Breast Cancer Survivors
  Seok-Mo Heo, Narae Heo
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2016; 28(4): 470.     CrossRef
• Development and Validation of the Empowerment Scale for Woman with Breast Cancer
  Sun Hwa Shin, Hyojung Park
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2015; 45(4): 613.     CrossRef