PATIENT PERSPECTIVES Against all odds: Australian women’s experiences of recovery from breast cancer Rakime Elmir, Debra Jackson, Barbara Beale and Virginia Schmied Aim. The aim of this study was to generate insight into younger women’s experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related breast surgery and to contribute to the knowledge base for clinicians practising in this field. Background. Despite the abundance of literature concerning the impact of breast cancer and breast loss on older women over 50 years of age, fewer studies have been conducted specifically with women younger than 50 years focusing on the recovery from breast cancer and related breast surgery. The effects of breast cancer on younger women differ to those of older women; younger women may have difficulty coming to terms with loss of fertility, perceived loss of femininity, sexuality and may experience body image disfigurement. Younger women may face these issues as a result of the treatment and surgery they have received to confine the breast cancer and attempt to improve their chances of survival. Design. A phenomenological qualitative methodology was used to capture the true essence and lived experience of four Australian women under the age of 50, who had undergone surgery as a result of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods. Tape-recorded semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Results. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes. These were ‘It absolutely encompassed me,’ ‘Being overwhelmed,’ ‘Living with fear and uncertainty’ and ‘Finding strength within.’ Conclusions. Findings of this study shed light on the experiences of recovery from breast cancer-related surgery in women under 50. Relevance to clinical practice. This research study will assist clinicians in understanding the needs of younger women under- going breast cancer-related breast surgery, who may require counselling in relation to fertility and relationship issues and assistance in coping with the demands of work and home life. Key words: breast cancer, breast surgery, nursing, qualitative research, women’s health, young women Accepted for publication: 27 October 2009 Introduction Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in Australian women, and each year, approximately 10,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer with a further 25,000 dying annually of the disease (Cancer Council 2006). The risk of developing breast cancer in younger women is statistically low, with approximately 1% of all breast cancers occurring before age 30 and about 10% occurring before age 50 (Stephens 2001). In Australia, each year, approximately 700 women under the age of 40 years are diagnosed with breast cancer (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Authors: Rakime Elmir, Grad Cert Clinical Teaching, RN, RM, BN, PhD Candidate, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney; Debra Jackson, PhD, RN, Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney; Barbara Beale, RN, Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney; Virginia Schmied, RN, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia Correspondence: Rakime Elmir, PhD Candidate, University of Western Sydney, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia. Telephone: (02) 46203355. E-mail: r.elmir@uws.edu.au, r_elmir@hotmail.com Ó 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19, 2531–2538 2531 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03196.x