'We've Done Drugs Keith Richards Never Heard Of': A Qualitative Study of Young Adult Cancer Narratives Online
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Date
2008-06
Authors
Pontius, Kathleen S., 1981-
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to explore the communication young adult cancer
survivors develop to cope with the cancer experience. This qualitative study incorporates
interviews with 16 young adult cancer patients. Working within the framework of
Charland's (1987) theory of constitutive rhetoric, the data reveal that young adult cancer
patients do not believe that they are a part of the dominant cancer narrative. However,
through the use of Web-based communication resources, young adult cancer survivors
are developing and validating alternative cancer narratives that better encompass their
experiences with the disease. The results of this study expose the marginalization of this
segment of the cancer community and show how the participatory nature of the virtual
world empowers the young adult cancer population to reconstitute cancer by developing
and validating more inclusive cancer narratives.
Description
x, 107 p. A print copy of this title is available from the UO Libraries, under the call number: KNIGHT HV547 .P66 2008