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After fighting cancer: How do breast cancer (BC) and gynaecological cancer (GC) survivors negotiate and reconstruct selfhood in intimate relationship and the workplace in Hong Kong = 戰勝癌症之後: 香港乳癌和婦科癌存活者如何議定和建構在親密關係和職場上的自我
Principal Investigator
Department
Grant Awarding Body
Research Grants Council
Grant Type
Faculty Development Scheme
Project Code
UGC/FDS15/H26/25
Amount Awarded
HK$805,514
Funding Year
2025
Duration of the Project
24 months
Status
Ongoing
Abstract
Conventional studies on breast cancer (BC) and gynecological cancer (GC) survivors primarily focus on psychological, sexual, relational, and physical stress, as well as social stigma. However, beyond empirical analyses of these survivors' experiences, there is a need for sociological insights to theorize their post-recovery conditions. In addition, while the social science literature on BC and GC survivors largely centers on Western countries and the Middle East, research on these survivors in Hong Kong has been limited. Among the few studies conducted in Hong Kong, the focus has been predominantly on emotional well-being and quality of life (e.g., Chow et al., 2018; So et al., 2014; Zeng et al., 2011), as well as work productivity (e.g., Cheng et al., 2023; So et al., 2022), indicating significant opportunities for further exploration.
This research aims to explore how breast cancer (BC) and gynecological cancer (GC) impact the sense of femininity in survivors and examine whether and in what ways their experiences have shaped their self-identity. It will discuss sex and intimacy, as well as the working life of BC and GC survivors, as vital domains of their private and public life respectively. Erving Goffman’s negotiation of self (1961) and the feminist orientation of feminine and sexual ideals will serve as the theoretical entry point. The core questions under study include: How does the loss or impairment of female organs affect femininity and, consequently, the sexual and intimate relationships of BC and GC survivors? How does cancer affect their work life and career aspirations? How do they cope with their transformative experiences, and what practical and humanistic strategies can aid in navigating post-recovery life? This study will advocate for the reclamation of selfhood by understanding how negative influences arise, thus purposively reconstructing the self. Additionally, recognizing the (often unspoken) challenges faced by BC and GC survivors, the proposed study will explore appropriate service and policy interventions for local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Hospital Authority (HA) to enhance the well-being of this population.
This study will utilize qualitative in-depth interviews, conducting a total of 80 interviews with a diverse range of subjects. Participants will include 40 BC survivors, 15 GC survivors, 10 intimate partners and coworkers, and 15 professionals from the allied medical and healthcare sector, such as medical social workers, counselors, practitioners from healthcare NGOs, hospital volunteers, and nurses. To ensure a diversity of voices and experiences, there will be no restrictions on the racial and cultural backgrounds of interviewees, provided that they have been living and working in Hong Kong at the time of the interview. However, a minimum of 45 local Chinese survivors is anticipated among the total participants (out of 55 survivors).
This study is expected to make several significant contributions to existing research. First, it will introduce the themes of sex and intimacy, femininity, and selfhood—areas that are rarely studied and yet are crucial to local cancer research. The findings regarding the sexual and intimate experiences of BC and GC survivors will provide alternative insights into self and identity analysis. Second, the results of this study will assist managers and practitioners in the medical and healthcare sectors, including the Hospital Authority (HA) and NGOs, in designing effective strategies and services to support these survivors. Moreover, it will raise the awareness among human resource management in the job market about the conditions of female cancer survivors with a humanistic approach.
This research aims to explore how breast cancer (BC) and gynecological cancer (GC) impact the sense of femininity in survivors and examine whether and in what ways their experiences have shaped their self-identity. It will discuss sex and intimacy, as well as the working life of BC and GC survivors, as vital domains of their private and public life respectively. Erving Goffman’s negotiation of self (1961) and the feminist orientation of feminine and sexual ideals will serve as the theoretical entry point. The core questions under study include: How does the loss or impairment of female organs affect femininity and, consequently, the sexual and intimate relationships of BC and GC survivors? How does cancer affect their work life and career aspirations? How do they cope with their transformative experiences, and what practical and humanistic strategies can aid in navigating post-recovery life? This study will advocate for the reclamation of selfhood by understanding how negative influences arise, thus purposively reconstructing the self. Additionally, recognizing the (often unspoken) challenges faced by BC and GC survivors, the proposed study will explore appropriate service and policy interventions for local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Hospital Authority (HA) to enhance the well-being of this population.
This study will utilize qualitative in-depth interviews, conducting a total of 80 interviews with a diverse range of subjects. Participants will include 40 BC survivors, 15 GC survivors, 10 intimate partners and coworkers, and 15 professionals from the allied medical and healthcare sector, such as medical social workers, counselors, practitioners from healthcare NGOs, hospital volunteers, and nurses. To ensure a diversity of voices and experiences, there will be no restrictions on the racial and cultural backgrounds of interviewees, provided that they have been living and working in Hong Kong at the time of the interview. However, a minimum of 45 local Chinese survivors is anticipated among the total participants (out of 55 survivors).
This study is expected to make several significant contributions to existing research. First, it will introduce the themes of sex and intimacy, femininity, and selfhood—areas that are rarely studied and yet are crucial to local cancer research. The findings regarding the sexual and intimate experiences of BC and GC survivors will provide alternative insights into self and identity analysis. Second, the results of this study will assist managers and practitioners in the medical and healthcare sectors, including the Hospital Authority (HA) and NGOs, in designing effective strategies and services to support these survivors. Moreover, it will raise the awareness among human resource management in the job market about the conditions of female cancer survivors with a humanistic approach.