Objectives: In this study, we explored how ovarian cancer (OC) survivors give meaning to their cancer experience and how the latter has an impact on their quality of life (QOL).Participants: The sample comprised 16 OC patients participating in the French study Vivrovaire in Lyon who were in long-term remission.Methods: We employed a qualitative approach, based on semi-structured interviews. Using ATLAS.ti software, we performed a thematic analysis of the collected data.Findings: Three main OC-related themes emerged: body and physical issues; social life evolutions; participant retrospective perception of OC experience.Interpretation: Our results underline the need to take into account the various dimensions of patient identity when studying OC survivors' QOL and to consider intra-individual QOL evolutions from a temporal perspective.Implications for Psychosocial Providers: Helping patients acquire a sound understanding of their illness experience is an enormous challenge for OC healthcare.
Keywords: Long-term remission; ovarian cancer; patient trajectory; qualitative methods; quality of life.