Introduction: Cancer is a general term for a group of diseases whose common feature is the uncontrolled growth of altered cells within a specific type, organ, or tissue. Cancer and various treatments for cancer often leave consequences for people physically, psychologically, and socially. This makes it difficult for them to integrate important occupations into it, which lowers their quality of life. Purpose: We wanted to investigate the involvement of people with cancer in the treatment process and after it in the implementation of occupations. We were interested in the consequences of cancer and its treatment on occupations and how these occupations are shown by participants as those who needed help and how they experience the changes related to occupations resulting from cancer and treatments. Methods of work: 5 people with cancer aged between 35 and 59 participated in a qualitative study. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews that were audio-recorded. The transcripts of the sound recordings were qualitatively analyzed in terms of content. Results: Qualitative content analysis led to the creation of 3 categories and 14 subcategories with corresponding codes. We found that cancer and its treatment have different implications for the implementation of occupations. These can be positive, harmful, or unpleasant for people with cancer. Illness and treatment also brought about the introduction of new occupations, the abandonment of old ones, and the use of paraphernalia. Participants needed help mainly with narrower and wider daily activities, for which they most often asked relatives and friends. Support groups also helped them. At the time of diagnosis, they experienced a number of unpleasant feelings. They helped each other in dealing with the disease in various ways. They started doing new leisure activities for which they had no interest or time before. They were also burdened by a changed self-image and difficulties in returning to work. Discussion and conclusion: Cancer and its treatment have many consequences that affect the implementation of daily activities/occupations and quality of life. During the research, we found that there is still a lack of existing literature on this topic. Quality studies should be carried out and knowledge put into practice. The research also provides useful information that occupational therapists can use when working with oncology patients.
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