Risky Business: Medical Discourse, Breast Cancer, and Narrative

This study explores the construction of risk and patient identity in medical discourse directed toward women with breast cancer. Eleven documents produced by the National Cancer Institute on the topic of breast cancer are studied using narrative analysis. A distinct patient narrative presents all wo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative health research 2008-01, Vol.18 (1), p.65-76
Main Author: Davis, Elizabeth M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
At risk
Attitude to Health
Body Image
Breast
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - psychology
Cultural Characteristics
Discourse
Discourse analysis
Female
Health technology assessment
Humans
Narratives
Patients
Qualitative Research
Risk Assessment
Self Concept
Women
Womens health
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Summary:This study explores the construction of risk and patient identity in medical discourse directed toward women with breast cancer. Eleven documents produced by the National Cancer Institute on the topic of breast cancer are studied using narrative analysis. A distinct patient narrative presents all women as at risk for breast cancer and creates an idealized patient identity that serves a prescriptive function for women. The narrative constructs an early-cancer experience where the patient is treatable and cancer is cured or controlled. There are no significant changes in the narrative after time.
ISSN:1049-7323
1552-7557
DOI:10.1177/1049732307309002