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Background: There is less investment in the cancer survival phase worldwide, and in Portugal, there is no known intervention program focused on cancer survivor adaptation. Objective: To explore the key elements in the development of an educational intervention in nursing that promotes cancer survivor adaptation. Methodology: Qualitative exploratory study using a focus group with 9 experts for data collection. Results: Knowledge about the disease, self-management of symptoms, self-control of emotions, knowledge about coping strategies, and involvement of family members should integrate the content of the intervention to be developed. Educational strategies should be articulated with motivational and relational strategies. Cancer survivors must be involved in the learning process. The care plan must be individualized and include a health contract. Conclusion: This study allowed identifying a minimum set of characteristics that should integrate an educational intervention in nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the meaning of illness, death and forgiveness in women with breast cancer and conceptions about the future after a cancer diagnosis. Method: A qualitative approach was developed using semi- structured interviews with a group of eight women diagnosed with breast cancer. Personal histories were analyzed using Grounded Analysis for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the meaning that individuals attribute to their life experience. Results: They indicate that a diagnosis of breast cancer has an impact associated with feelings of fear, failure, dependency and death. To cope with cancer, the woman seeks to build a new meaning in concepts such as forgiveness, illness, dreams for the future, trying to find a redefinition of the roles assigned to cancer and looking to have a new look on the meaning of life. Conclusions: The results provide important indicators for health professionals to understand the changes and altered meanings that occur in cancer patients, either on a personal level caused by the disease and its treatment, or family and social level, and intervene in the confrontation with the relief of suffering and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]