1. The Buddhist Coping Experience of Breast Cancer Survivors:
A Phenomenological Approach
Presentation by
Name: Ms. Lai
Oi Ling
Job Title: RN HA
8-10 May 2017

2. Authors: Ms. Lai Oi Ling Dr. Stuart McClean, Dr. Mary Mitchell
Breast Cancer Summit 2017
4th World Congress on Breast Cancer
Singapore City, Holiday Inn Atrium
8-10 May, 2017
Track 1: Breast Cancer – Present Perspective

3. Aim
This research will explore the lived experiences of women with breast cancer in order to discover the impact of Buddhist beliefs on coping strategies

4. Methodology: Hermeneutic Phenomenology
For Gadamer, the interpreter understands the human experience through their cultural world, historical tradition and the context which connects their language or dialogue (Welch,1999; Grondin, 2003).

5. Research Design 10 purposive sample Semi-structure in-depth interviews
Sampling
10 purposive sample
Data collection
Semi-structure in-depth interviews
20 Face to Face individual interviews
Data analysis
Thematic Analysis and the van Manen data reduction
Gadamer Interpretive Phenomenology

6. Sampling Inclusion Criteria Face to Face Interview
Woman with breast cancer
With Buddhist faith
speak fluently
Cantonese
Face to Face Interview
3 no. of FGS
1 no. of Self Practice
6 no. of SGI

7. Data Analysis Thematic Analysis, Van Manen (Boyatzis, 1990) van Manen
Phenomenological
Reduction (1990)
Van Manen
Being
Being with others
Being in the world

8. Findings Coping: Stress: 1."to actualize their essence of life" ,
2. "to study and practice their Buddhist faith”.
Stress:
The Sufferings
The Mother Role

9. . AMY’s 1. The chemotherapy side effect were severe 2. Other people
vomit
my insurance agent
nurses
doctor
hair loss
loss of appetite
oncology
urinary tract infection
1. The chemotherapy side effect were severe
the depressed patient in Chemo day ward
odour smelling
2. Other people
SGI members
piles bleeding
One of my close friends died of cancer
my family members
. AMY’s
Thematic Map
fatigue
big trauma to the body
a male friend with breast cancer
my relatives
A lot of friends playing mah-jong
I would be kosen-rufu
I was in high spirit
accept things as impermanence
3. I had a religious faith to support me
It was meaningful
offer confidence
I was able to go through difficulty
I gave my life to Buddha

10. The Lived Human Relation
I Am A Buddha, I Refuse to Give Up
Hope and Future
Bodhisattva Identity
Open Up Buddhahood
Transform Negative Karma
The Lived Space
The Lived Time
The Lived Human Relation
The Lived Body

11. The Buddhist Coping Experiences
P4: I was also aware that I could not escape from “impermanence” once it appeared, no matter what I did. I faced up to it joyfully. I did not query why I was the one with this fate and why I was the one who had cancer. I had never thought about this. I only focused on how to face up to it, how to solve the problem and act properly. (4/2/12)

12. The Bodhisattva Identity
P5: I also joined a lot of activities though I underwent surgery. I participated in the Guard club watering plants, cleaning toilets, etc...During the surgery period, I was not painful at all. I believed in “Gohonzon”. It was deep in my heart… I even encouraged some patients to chant. I was full of confidence there was no problem ahead. (5/2/11/18-23)

13. Discussion: Hope & Future
Body and mind changed from passive "being help by others" to active "to empower and encourage other people."

14. SGI Buddhist Movement