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SAMKUL-Samfunnsutviklingens kulturell

RETHINKING CANCER SURVIVORSHIP Exploring the foundations of research on how humans experience and voice cancer in a Norwegian context

Alternative title: Kreftoverlevelse på nye måter. Om hvordan man i Norge erfarer og italesetter kreft

Awarded: NOK 9.1 mill.

Project Number:

283517

Application Type:

Project Period:

2018 - 2024

Subject Fields:

In the spring of 2023, our work was largely devoted to the anthology from the project, and in June of that year we received a comprehensive statement from anonymous reviewer on the manuscript (via the publisher). The statement was predominantly positive and thus gave both the publisher and the book editors the green light to complete the book. As of November 2023, it is on its way to proofreading, batch, cover and printing and is expected to be launched in early spring 2024. In the spring of 2023, we arranged a fourth course in creative writing in collaboration with the Varde Centre, and we are now working to apply for funding to initiate more courses. The project group has also worked out a program for the final seminar of the project, which will be held on 11 January 2024 at the University of Oslo. In addition to professional presentations from the researchers in the project, the seminar will consist of a panel discussion with users (cancer survivors and clinicians in the cancer field). In 2023 we published three scientific articles, two articles are under review and a third is for second review. We have also written a book chapter based on experiences with the writing course, which is about to be published in an English-language anthology. This year we also gave a scientific presentation at the International seminar in phenomenological research and philosophy (UiB). The PhD candidate in the project is currently writing the synopsis and is in the process of completing the thesis.

Taking the continuously increasing number of cancer survivors in Norway as a central point of departure, our project seeks to advance research in the humanities and social sciences as well as in medicine and health sciences by critically inquiring the category 'cancer survivorship' and its cultural premises and ramifications in today's society and human existence. Based on interviews and textual studies the project will develop knowledge on how Norwegians experience and voice cancer and how these experiences might interplay with hegemonic cultural discourses on how to deal with cancer and life beyond. One main ambition is to bridge this knowledge to public attitudes, health authorities as well as clinical practice and thereby enable to provide the most qualified and targeted cancer care possible. These aims are strongly allied with the need for better knowledge on how human existence and technological innovations intersect in a manner that constitutes new ways of thinking of and practicing health, illness and embodiment in Norway and elsewhere. The two types of cancer that will be examined are gynecological and colorectal cancer, disease entities that seem to be strikingly silenced and taboo in the Norwegian society. The research questions raised will be asked by a consortium of professionals, including national and international researchers and patient representatives, who take a strong interest in addressing such questions in interdisciplinary and highly inventive ways.

Publications from Cristin

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Funding scheme:

SAMKUL-Samfunnsutviklingens kulturell