Objective: To understand the meaning of illness, death and forgiveness in women with breast cancer and conceptions about the future after a cancer diagnosis. Method: A qualitative approach was developed using semi- structured interviews with a group of eight women diagnosed with breast cancer. Personal histories were analyzed using Grounded Analysis for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the meaning that individuals attribute to their life experience. Results: They indicate that a diagnosis of breast cancer has an impact associated with feelings of fear, failure, dependency
and death. To cope with cancer, the woman seeks to build a new meaning in concepts such as forgiveness, illness, dreams for the future, trying to find a redefinition of the roles assigned to cancer and looking to have a new look on the meaning of life. Conclusions: The results provide important indicators for health professionals to understand the changes and altered meanings that occur in cancer patients, either on a personal level caused by the disease and its treatment, or family and social level, and intervene in the confrontation with the relief of suffering and death.