I Feel Like a Baby?: A Cancer-Related Fatigue Experience Based on a Male Perspective

Abstract

Komang Leo Triandana Arizona, Tintin Sukartini, Ferry Efendi

Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF) is one of the symptoms of cancer as a result of illness or treatment that is usually experienced with subjective feelings by male and female cancer patients. However, male patients tend to ignore it resulting in that these symptoms receive less attention. This study aimed to explore the experience of fatigue in male cancer patients. This study used a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach. This study involved 15 male cancer patients who were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data collection was carried out using semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using the Van Mannen approach with the help of NVivo 12 software. There are four themes identified in this study, namely 1) powerlessness, 2) fulfillment of roles and responsibilities, 3) adjustment, and 4) social support. According to most male informants, fatigue is powerlessness in living life. Fatigue can reduce the predicate of men as a strong and masculine individual which results in a decrease in roles and responsibilities. Adjustment and social support are needed to overcome these problems. Fatigue in participants leads to disturbances in their masculinity roles and has an impact on their daily lives. Nursing management is expected to enable patients to secure specific interventions that are oriented toward patient welfare.