Living outliers: Experiences, insights and narratives of exceptional survivors of incurable cancer

Moshe Frenkel, Sky Gross, Ariela Popper Giveon, Kenneth Sapire, Doron Hermoni

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: Unexplained prolonged survival given a diagnosis of incurable advanced cancer is a puzzling phenomenon that recently has attracted more scientific research. The purpose of this study was to add to the understanding of how exceptional patients perceive and explain their unusual experience. Methods: We recruited patients for interviews from a population registry, patients with advanced lung or pancreatic malignancy who experienced exceptional survival. Results & conclusion: In total, 15 participants were interviewed. The main recurrent themes in most of the interviews were patient-doctor communication, family support and the patient's proactive attitude. In this study, patients attribute their longevity to relationships with their doctor and their family - not the type of treatment they received. Further research on this phenomenon is needed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1741-1749
Number of pages9
JournalFuture Oncology
Volume11
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2015

Keywords

  • alternative medicine
  • cancer care
  • cancer survival
  • complementary medicine
  • hope
  • patient-doctor communication
  • prognosis
  • spontaneous neoplasm regression
  • spontaneous remission

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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