Background: Breast cancer has increased dramatically during the twentieth century in the Western world. There are about 8000 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Sweden, which represents 30% of all cancer diagnosis by women. There are many, both mental and physical difficulties that the women have to go through during and after treatment. They have to endure pain, fear and uncertainty. Many women may feel that they have lost their identity after surgery, and they may also feel less attractive and sexually attracted.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to illuminate women's experiences of breast cancer.

Method: A systematic literature review was made and 10 high-quality scientific papers were selected, analyzed and categorized. All articles are written from the patient's perspective and highlight their experience of living with breast cancer.

Result: The results were divided into four themes; pain, support, lost and challenges. There are also eight subthemes; next of kin and friend support, nurse support, losing a limb, losing the identity, adversity, belief in the future, body pain and soul pain.

Conclusion:

This study shows the importance of support from next of kin and friends. The nurses need to support the women with problems in their relationship. Breast reconstruction surgery was important for the women. Nurses should ask more questions about the chronic pain that may come up after the surgery.