Alcohol abuse in cancer patients: a shadow side in the oncological field and research.
Författare
Summary, in English
This article aims to foreground alcohol abuse by cancer patients and explore how alcohol abuse functions as a biographic master motive and at the same time is a shadow side in the oncological field and research. The research is based on a single case study which draws on empirical material from interviews, field notes and staff policy, with analysis using Bourdieu's concepts of trajectory of life and habitus. The findings show that the cancer patient's alcohol abuse is an important part of the trajectory of his private life and spare time. In social life with family and friends alcohol is given and normal and acts as a socialisator. Alcohol abuse provides both stability and instability in the cancer patient's life. When cancer results in work breaks and retirement, and spare time often is used as drinking time, then all daily life becomes drinking time for the cancer patient. Alcohol is often a hidden abuse at the working place and in the oncological field. In meetings with healthcare professionals, the patient chooses not to speak about his alcohol abuse to avoid further medicalisation. The challenge for the healthcare professionals is to see and accept alcohol abusers with cancer and their social lives without always trying to change their 'unhealthy' lifestyles.
Avdelning/ar
Publiceringsår
2014
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
437-446
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy
Volym
17
Issue
3
Fulltext
- Available as PDF - 940 kB
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Länkar
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Springer
Ämne
- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy
Status
Published
Forskningsgrupp
- Integrative Health Research
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1572-8633