
Abstract Purpose Lower-grade gliomas (LGG) are mostly diagnosed in working-aged adults and rarely cured. LGG patients may face chronic impairments (e.g. fatigue, cognitive deficits). Self-management can improve clinical and psychosocial outcomes, yet how LGG patients self-manage the consequences of their tumour and its treatment is not fully understood. This study, therefore, aimed to identify and understand how LGG patients engage in the self-management of their condition. Methods A diverse group of 28 LGG patients (age range 22–69 years; male n = 16, female n = 12; mean time since diagnosis = 8.7 years) who had completed primary treatment, were recruited from across the United Kingdom. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Informed by a self-management strategy framework developed in cancer, directed content analysis identified and categorised self-management types and strategies used by patients. Results Overall, 20 self-management strategy types, comprising 123 self-management strategies were reported; each participant detailed extensive engagement in self-management. The most used strategy types were ‘using support’ (n = 28), ‘creating a healthy environment’ (n = 28), ‘meaning making’ (n = 27), and ‘self-monitoring’ (n = 27). The most used strategies were ‘accepting the tumour and its consequences’ (n = 26), ‘receiving support from friends (n = 24) and family’ (n = 24), and ‘reinterpreting negative consequences’ (n = 24). Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the strategies used by LGG patients to self-manage their health and wellbeing, with a diverse, and substantial number of self-management strategies reported. Implications for Cancer Survivors The findings will inform the development of a supported self-management intervention for LGG patients, which will be novel for this patient group.
Male, Adult, Brain Neoplasms, Self-Management, Glioma, Middle Aged, Article, United Kingdom, Self Care, Cancer Survivors/psychology [MeSH] ; Female [MeSH] ; Qualitative ; Neoplasm Grading [MeSH] ; Aged [MeSH] ; Adult [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Middle Aged [MeSH] ; Glioma/pathology [MeSH] ; Article ; Self Care [MeSH] ; Qualitative Research [MeSH] ; Male [MeSH] ; Lower-grade glioma ; Quality of Life [MeSH] ; Brain Neoplasms/psychology [MeSH] ; United Kingdom [MeSH] ; Young Adult [MeSH] ; Glioma/psychology [MeSH] ; Self-Management [MeSH] ; Self-management ; Brain Neoplasms/therapy [MeSH] ; Glioma/therapy [MeSH] ; Wellbeing, Young Adult, Cancer Survivors, Quality of Life, Humans, Female, Neoplasm Grading, Qualitative Research, Aged
Male, Adult, Brain Neoplasms, Self-Management, Glioma, Middle Aged, Article, United Kingdom, Self Care, Cancer Survivors/psychology [MeSH] ; Female [MeSH] ; Qualitative ; Neoplasm Grading [MeSH] ; Aged [MeSH] ; Adult [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Middle Aged [MeSH] ; Glioma/pathology [MeSH] ; Article ; Self Care [MeSH] ; Qualitative Research [MeSH] ; Male [MeSH] ; Lower-grade glioma ; Quality of Life [MeSH] ; Brain Neoplasms/psychology [MeSH] ; United Kingdom [MeSH] ; Young Adult [MeSH] ; Glioma/psychology [MeSH] ; Self-Management [MeSH] ; Self-management ; Brain Neoplasms/therapy [MeSH] ; Glioma/therapy [MeSH] ; Wellbeing, Young Adult, Cancer Survivors, Quality of Life, Humans, Female, Neoplasm Grading, Qualitative Research, Aged
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