Gender as a context for interpreting the self‐directed learning experiences of prostate and breast cancer patients

This article reports the findings from a secondary analysis of the data from two qualitative studies conducted by the researcher regarding the self‐directed learning experiences of prostate and breast cancer patients. Of interest were possible differences in the descriptions of the participants’ experiences that appear to relate to gender. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 12 prostate cancer patients and 13 breast cancer patients. The resulting transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The same research process, geographic location and interview protocol were used for both studies. Differences that appear to relate to gender were found in regard to privacy, seeking connections, handling emotions, and perspectives on the personal impact of their self‐directed and cancer experiences.