The role of self-management practices as mechanisms for re-establishing normality in cancer survivors

This article explores the relationship between cancer survivors’ use of self-management practices and their search for normality. Using Frank’s illness narratives (A. W. Frank, 1995) and other theoretical literature on normality in chronic illness (Barlow, Wright, Sheasby, Turner, & Hainsworth, 2002; Barovsky, 1978; Bury, 1982; C Foster & D Fenlon, 2011; G. Williams, 1984), it draws on findings from a qualitative study to explore different ways cancer survivors use self-management practices to re-establish normality in their lives post-cancer. The findings suggest that ‘normality’ represents different things to cancer survivors. We suggest that normality in survivorship is not a static concept, but is fluid and at certain times cancer survivors may display some or all of these different versions of normality. The findings show that self-management practices can help cancer survivors experiment with different health and lifestyle processes, to help support their ‘normal’ daily lifestyle activities, quality of life and wellbeing.