“We still have life in us:” A photo-story intervention to support quality of life among older women with cancer

Introduction

Cancer and cancer treatment are life-altering experiences which can provoke physical illness and psychological distress.  Although expressing and coping with cancer concerns can promote well-being, the experiences are often hard to express verbally.  Thus, we explored the effect of a pilot photo-storytelling project on the quality of life (QOL) of older women with cancer.

Methods

Participants (N=18) took part in the project in small groups of 4-6 women.  Project components included a photography tutorial, three group photo-sharing and discussion sessions, and a community photo exhibit.  To assess QOL, we conducted post-project individual interviews and analyzed transcripts of group and individual sessions and over 200 participant photographs using strategies of theme analysis.   

Results

Participants included women living with cancer in the Midwest, United States.  Half of the women were currently undergoing chemotherapy.  The mean age of the sample was 59 years.  Women reported positive physical, emotional, and social QOL changes as a result of the project.  Key themes were that the project helped women to: accept and celebrate body changes, cope with control loss, live in and see beauty in the moment, commit to survival, and document support systems. Many pictures included natural cancer analogies, such as a tree thriving without a limb.

Conclusions

Photo-story interventions have the potential to enhance QOL among older women with cancer.  Photos allow women to express complex aspects of their cancer fears and triumphs creatively and facilitate supportive discussions with others.  Women access new sources of inner-strength and beauty and support in their environments.