Listening to music as part of treatment for breast cancer: A qualitative content analysis of patients’ listening logs

•Qualitative content analysis of listening logs and songs.•Participants from Susan G. Komen Initiative for women with breast cancer.•Information from eight women involved in music therapy.•Found 10 categories of response, related to their lives and cancer.

A qualitative content analysis was undertaken of music listening logs and songs selected by women participating in a project that provided music therapy for people receiving treatment for breast cancer. Research questions were: (a) What themes emerged from patients as they listened to music that was associated with music therapy sessions that were held during their treatment for breast cancer? (b) What unforeseen information was presented in the listening logs? The following themes were found through the analysis: Relaxation, Memories, Emotions, Spirituality, Beauty, Strength, Energy/Fatigue, Pain Relief, Family, and Physical Problems/Illness. These are discussed with examples from the logs. Implications for understanding patients’ experience of cancer and suggestions for using music therapy are included.