Living with breast and gynaecological cancer: a person-centered case study of women’s experience, body, and therapeutic relationship

This qualitative case study explores the lived experiences of two women diagnosed with breast and gynecological cancer within a person-centered therapeutic context. Data were derived from weekly 50-minute person-centered therapy sessions conducted over a period of 6 months, audio-recorded with consent, and supplemented with reflexive field notes. Analysis followed constructivist Grounded Theory procedures, including initial, focused, and theoretical coding. Five central themes emerged: fear of death and uncertainty about the future, managing medical information, relationship with the body and altered self-image, therapeutic relationship as a safe space, and emotional regulation and coping strategies. Findings illustrate how participants navigate complex emotional and embodied experiences, selectively engage with medical information, and utilize the therapeutic relationship to support reflection, resilience, and integration of bodily and emotional experiences. These results highlight the applicability of Person-Centered Theory in psycho-oncology, emphasizing the importance of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence in fostering psychological change. Clinical implications include supporting emotional regulation, addressing body-related identity challenges, and respecting client autonomy in treatment engagement. This study contributes to understanding how relational and experiential processes facilitate coping in women facing serious illness and offers guidance for person-centered psychotherapy practice in oncology contexts.