The objective of this phenomenological study was to investigate the perceptions of illness among cancer patients. The sample consisted of 15 individuals (7 males and eight females) ranging in age from 19 to 80 years, who were recruited through a snowball sampling technique. Multiple interview sessions were conducted using an unstructured interview schedule. The analysis yielded five superordinate themes.


Illness cognition encompassed all five dimensions: identity, consequences, treatment control, personal control, timeline, and causes. However, contrary to Leventhal's (1980) timeline concept, which posits that individuals categorize their illness as acute or chronic based on the perceived duration of the illness, patients in our study perceived their cancer as a condition that has shortened their lives. The findings indicated that some participants were unaware of their diagnosis, leading to a vague and confusing identification or labeling of their symptoms.


In addition to treatment and personal control, participants expressed perceptions of divine control, believing that their recovery rested in the hands of a Supreme Being. A significant consequence of cancer, as revealed in the findings, was the stigma associated with breast and oral cancers, resulting in social discrimination and isolation. Even patients who had completed their treatment remained haunted by the fear of recurrence. The perceptions regarding the causes of cancer, specific to Indian culture, highlighted a belief that the severity of cancer worsened due to the negligence of the treating physician, whom they considered a quack. This underscores the importance of cultural competence in healthcare, shedding light on the diverse beliefs and perceptions of illness.