Centralizing temporality in adolescent and young adult cancer survivorship

Drawing on Gadamer’s hermeneutic philosophy, this article presents a key outcome of broader research into the phenomenon of adolescent and young adult cancer survivorship. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with 45 participants from Australia, England, and the United States. The participants received a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 15 and 29 years and were aged 18 to 40 years at the time of interview. The key analytical finding depicts the concept of time as central to the experiences in survivorship. Altered beliefs in temporal progression and biographical chronology affected the organization of time, the structuring and value of life events, and the use of time as a resource. The significance of temporality in young survivors’ experiences warrants its centrality in the design of survivorship care models that reflect a broader understanding of the life experiences of this population.