Abstract 3408: ‘Survivor mentality’: The meaning of survivorship among Black cancer survivors
Authors: Woodard Nathaniel , Xu Jingle , Lea Deirdre F. , Milner John L. , Duggins Paulette , Coleman Karia , Bryant Ashley L. , Valle Carmina G. , Wheeler Stephanie B. , Carda-Auten Jessica , Triglianos Tammy A. , Hirschey Rachel 
Published: March 2024

Purpose: To explore how Black adults who have been diagnosed with cancer perceive and interpret the term ‘cancer survivor’.

Procedures: This study is a secondary analysis of qualitative data from a project identifying physical activity determinants among Black U.S. residents living past a cancer diagnosis. Semi-structured telephone interviews began with an inquiry into perceptions of the term ‘cancer survivor.’ Eligible participants were age 18 or older, self-identified as Black, and were living beyond a cancer diagnosis. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Applying directed content analysis, 5 researchers independently applied a codebook generated from the interview guide to a subset of transcripts. The codebook was refined through iterative discussions to address coding discrepancies and achieve replicability. Remaining transcripts were then coded and a report of grouped narrative summaries was generated. Themes and subthemes were organized to present the meaning and significance of ‘cancer survivorship’ among the sample. The partnering community advisory board aided in and reviewed the interpretation of study findings.

Results: Participants were 19 survivors of nine different types of cancer. Most participants were women (89.5%), 68.4% held a bachelor’s degree or greater, and the mean age was 56 (SD=12). Emergent themes describing perceptions of ‘cancer survivorship’ included 1) cancer ‘survivor’ terminology preferences, 2) outset of cancer ‘survivorship,’ 3) ‘survivor mentality’ and mental fortitude, and 4) advocacy for those affected by cancer. Many participants identified as ‘cancer survivors’ and preferred this to ‘in remission,’ but some preferred different terms or identities (e.g., warrior or thriver). Many believed survivorship began once an individual completed cancer treatment, but some felt survivorship began at cancer diagnosis. Survivor mentality was raised as a mindset providing some individuals the mental fortitude to complete cancer treatment, especially among those embracing a survivor identity during treatment. Some participants raised advocacy, providing support to others diagnosed with cancer, and sharing cancer information and their experience as part of what it means to be a survivor.

Conclusions: Acceptance of the term “cancer survivor” and what it means to be a “survivor” vary among Black individuals living past a cancer diagnosis. The identities held by those diagnosed with cancer may have implications for their cancer experiences and outcomes. Many Black cancer survivors may perceive working to improve the lives of others with cancer as part of what it means to be a survivor. Partnering with Black cancer survivors in cancer prevention and control efforts may be mutually appealing and beneficial to improve the lives of individuals living past a cancer diagnosis.

Citation Format: Nathaniel Woodard, Jingle Xu, Deirdre F. Lea, John L. Milner, Paulette Duggins, Karia Coleman, Ashley L. Bryant, Carmina G. Valle, Stephanie B. Wheeler, Jessica Carda-Auten, Tammy A. Triglianos, Rachel Hirschey. ‘Survivor mentality’: The meaning of survivorship among Black cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3408.