Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Examining Nursing Students’ Perspectives on Cancer through Metaphors in Turkey

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study was conducted to reveal the perceptions of cancer through metaphors among second-year nursing students. This study utilized descriptive phenomenology, which is a qualitative research design. In order to reveal the metaphors that each nursing student (n = 65) considered for the concept of “cancer,” they were asked to complete the following sentence: “Cancer is like ……, because ……”. In analyzing the data, a content analysis approach comprising coding, the identification of themes, and grouping of data according to codes and themes was used. It was found that the nursing students produced 44 different metaphors. With the groupings made from the students’ perspectives on cancer, categories of “crime/punishment,” “fear/anxiety/pain,” “uncertainty,” “uncontrollability,” and “struggle/hope” were identified. In particular, the students’ metaphors of “test,” “fight,” “unwanted friend,” “love,” “naughty child,” “thief,” and “trouble” for the concept of cancer came to the fore. It is recommended to improve clinical education to develop positive attitudes among nursing students toward cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Badihian, S., Choi, E. K., Kim, I. R., Parnia, A., Manouchehri, N., Badihian, N., Tanha, J. M., Guallar, E., & Cho, J. (2017). Attitudes toward cancer and cancer patients in an urban Iranian population. The Oncologist, 22(8), 944–950. https://doi.org/10.1634/theoncologist.2017-0073

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bağçivan, G., Uysal, N., Karaaslan, A., Kapucu, S., Talas, M. S., & Terakye, G. (2015). Review of oncology nursing research that conducted by nurses in Turkey and published between 2009–2013: A systematic review. Turkish Journal of Oncology, 30(1), 5–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beng, K. S. (2004). The last hours and days of life: A biopsychosocial-spiritual model of care. Asia Pacific Family Med., 4, 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozdoğan Yeşilot, S., & Öz, F. (2017). Cancer patients’ perceptions of nursing presence. Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 8(3), 150–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Çetingöz, R., Kentli, S., Uruk, O., Demirtas, E., Eyiler, F., & Kinay, M. (2002). Turkish people’s knowledge of cancer and attitudes toward prevention and treatment. Journal of Cancer Education: The Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Education, 17(1), 55–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190209528794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Çetinkaya, B., Altundağ, S., & Azak, A. (2007). Spiritual care and nursing. ADÜ Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, 8(1), 47–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapple, A., Ziebland, S., & McPherson, A. (2004). Stigma, shame, and blame experienced by patients with lung cancer: Qualitative study. BMJ (clinical Research Ed.), 328(7454), 1470. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38111.639734.7C

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cho, J., Smith, K., Choi, E. K., Kim, I. R., Chang, Y. J., Park, H. Y., Guallar, E., & Shim, Y. M. (2013). Public attitudes toward cancer and cancer patients: A national survey in Korea. Psycho-Oncology, 22(3), 605–613. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3041

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Çınar, D., Yildirim, Y., & Şenuzun Aykar, F. (2020). Nursing care of patient with cancer diagnosis according to Merle Mishel’s theory of uncertainty in illness: A case report. Acıbadem University Journal of Health Sciences, 11(3), 553–559.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, G.M. (2000). The cell: A molecular approach. 2nd edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2000. The Development and Causes of Cancer. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9963/.

  • Erarslan, L. (2011). Sociological metaphors. Journal of Academic Perspective, 27, 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galbadage, T., Petersen, B. M., Wang, D. C., Wang, J. S., & Gunasekera, R. S. (2020). Biopsychosocial and Spiritual Implications of Patients with COVID-19 Dying in Isolation. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gemalmaz, A., & Avşar, G. (2015). Cancer diagnosis and after experiences: A qualitative study. Journal of Education and Research in Nursing, 12(2), 93–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greene, K., & Banerjee, S. C. (2006). Disease-related stigma: Comparing predictors of AIDS and cancer stigma. Journal of Homosexuality, 50(4), 185–209. https://doi.org/10.1300/J082v50n04_08

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gültekin, M., Özgül, N., Olcayto, E., & Tuncer, M. (2011). Level of knowledge among Turkish people for cancer and cancer risk factors. Journal of Turkish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 8(1), 57–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Güneş, A., & Fırat, M. (2016). Metaphor analysis research in open and distance learning. Journal of Open Education Applications and Research, 2(3), 115–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapucu, S., & Bulut, H. D. (2018). Nursing students’ perspectives on assisting cancer patients. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 5(1), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.4103/apjon.apjon_44_17

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kav, S., Citak, E. A., Akman, A., & Erdemir, F. (2013). Nursing students’ perceptions towards cancer and caring for cancer patients in Turkey. Nurse Education in Practice, 13(1), 4–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2012.05.010

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kavradım, S. T., & Özer, Z. C. (2014). Hope in patients with cancer. Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 6(2), 154–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khairunnisa, A. D. (2014). Spirituality and nursing. Journal of Holistic Nursing., 32(4), 341–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King-Okoye, M., & Arber, A. (2014). “It stays with me”: The experiences of second- and third-year student nurses when caring for patients with cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care, 23(4), 441–449. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.12139

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kocaman, N. (2011). Psychosocial reactions to medical illness. Journal of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, 71(2), 52–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kocaman Yıldırım, N., Kaçmaz, N., & Özkan, M. (2013). Unmet care needs in advanced stage cancer patients. Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 4(3), 153–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lanceley, A., & Clark, J. M. (2013). Cancer in other words? The role of metaphor in emotion disclosure in cancer patients. British Journal of Psychotherapy, 29(2), 182–201. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjp.12023

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, J. (2010). Five ways to Integrate: Using strategies from contemporary art. Art Education, 63(3), 13–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/00043125.2010.11519065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merriam, S.B. (2013). A guide for qualitative research design and implementation (Trans. Ed.: Turan, S.). Ankara: Nobel Publishing.

  • Miles, A., Rainbow, S., & von Wagner, C. (2011). Cancer fatalism and poor self-rated health mediate the association between socioeconomic status and uptake of colorectal cancer screening in England. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 20(10), 2132–2140. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-11-0453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mıles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). An expanded source book qualitative data analysis (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee, S. (2020). The emperor of all maladies: A biography of cancer. Domingo publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niederdeppe, J., & Levy, A. G. (2007). Fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention and three prevention behaviors. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 16(5), 998–1003. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-06-0608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Öztürk, E. S., Uysal, N., & Kutlutürkan, S. (2016). Being an oncology nurse from the perspective of second year nursing students. Journal of Education and Research in Nursing, 13(1), 16–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, J. H., Park, E. C., Park, J. H., Kim, S. G., & Lee, S. Y. (2008). Job loss and re-employment of cancer patients in Korean employees: A nationwide retrospective cohort study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26(8), 1302–1309. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2007.14.2984

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Potts, A., & Semino, E. (2019). Cancer as a metaphor. Metaphor and Symbol, 34(2), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926488.2019.1611723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powe, B. D. (1995). Fatalism among elderly African Americans. Effects on colorectal cancer screening. Cancer Nursing, 18(5), 385–392.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robb, K. A., Simon, A. E., Miles, A., & Wardle, J. (2014). Public perceptions of cancer: A qualitative study of the balance of positive and negative beliefs. British Medical Journal Open, 4(7), e005434. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saban, A. (2009). Mental images of pre-service teachers about the concept of student. Turkish Journal of Educational Sciences, 7(2), 281–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, J., Townsend-Rocchiccioli, J., Quiett, K., & Trimm, D. (2011). “I see my mother’s face”: Student nurse experiences caring for cancer patients. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 15(1), 46–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2010.05.010

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt, R. (2005). Systematic metaphor analysis as a method of qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 10(2), 358–394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherman, D. W., & Free, D. C. (2019). Culture and spirituality as domains of quality palliative care. In M. Matzo & D. W. Sherman (Eds.), Palliative care nursing. Springer Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sontag, S. (1990). Illness as Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors. New York: Picador, 1990, 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stergiou-Kita, M., Pritlove, C., & Kirsh, B. (2016). The “Big C”-stigma, cancer, and workplace discrimination. Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice, 10(6), 1035–1050. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-016-0547-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulmasy, D. P. (2002). A biopsychosocial-spiritual model for the care of patients at the end of life. The Gerontologist, 42(suppl_3), 24–33. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/42.suppl_3.24

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thorsen, L., Gjerset, G. M., Loge, J. H., Kiserud, C. E., Skovlund, E., Fløtten, T., & Fosså, S. D. (2011). Cancer patients’ needs for rehabilitation services. Acta Oncologica (stockholm, Sweden), 50(2), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.3109/0284186X.2010.531050

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuncay, T. (2009). Analysis of the illness narratives of the young cancer patients on the basis of empowerment approach. Community and Social Services, 20(2), 69–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ülger, E., Alacacıoğlu, A., Gülseren, A. Ş, Zencir, G., Demir, L., & Tarhan, M. O. (2014). Psychosocial problems in cancer and the importance of psychosocial oncology. Journal of Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, 28(2), 85–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Union for International Cancer Control. (2019). How to talk about cancer. Retrieved July 10, 2020, from https://www.worldcancerday.org/sites/default/files/2018-09/WCD19_How%20To%20Guide_Talk%20about%20cancer_FA_ENG.pdf.

  • Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2006). Qualitative research methods in the social sciences (p. 366). Seçkin Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yildiz, H., & Akansel, N. (2011). Beginning level nursing students’ experiences with cancer patients in their first clinical placement: A qualitative appraisal in Turkey. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 12(10), 2611–2615.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yılmaz, M., Dişsiz, G., Göçmen, F., Kurtuluş Usluoğlu, A., & Alacacıoğlu, A. (2017). The study Turkish version of validation and reliability of a questionnaire for measuring attitudes toward cancer (cancer stigma)-community version. Anatolian Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 20(2), 99–106.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the participants for their time and cooperation.

Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey

    Kamile Kırca

  2. Midwifery Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey

    Canan Kaş

Authors
  1. Kamile Kırca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Canan Kaş
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

KK collected and analyzed the data and results, carried out interpretation, and drafted the manuscript; CK designed the study, collected and analyzed the data and results, carried out interpretation, and drafted the manuscript; and KK drafted the manuscript, conceived and designed the study, and analyzed the data and results.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamile Kırca.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Ethics committee approval was received for this study from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Kastamonu University.

Informed Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from participants who participated in this study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kırca, K., Kaş, C. Examining Nursing Students’ Perspectives on Cancer through Metaphors in Turkey. J Relig Health 61, 1451–1468 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01529-1

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01529-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation