Abstract
Background: Cancer is a disease that instils a fear of death in the minds of most people.
For South African mine workers, the fear of death is compounded by a fear of being unable to
fulfil work obligations in an industry where employment is central to the miners’ identity.
Aim: The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the experiences of mine workers
experiencing a cancer diagnosis requiring radiation therapy.
Setting: Mining towns in the Limpopo province, Thabazimbi and Lephalale.
Methods: A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study design was utilised. The purposeful
sample consisted of 11 mine workers receiving treatment at a radiotherapy centre in the
North West province. Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire and individual
in-depth telephonic interviews. Data were analysed using open coding to identify themes.
Results: The themes identified were the emotional experience resulting from the diagnosis,
changing family dynamics and information needs from radiotherapy professionals. The
psychosocial support required by this group of patients is unique and radiation therapists
need to provide wholistic support that is tailored to address the contextual needs of this group
of patients.
Conclusions: Mine workers often live far away from their family and are forced to face the
cancer journey alone without family support. Oncology professionals, therefore, need to create
supportive structures, including emotional and financial counselling, to ensure compliance
with treatment protocols, thus facilitating a positive treatment outcome.