Fear of Mastectomy Associated with Delayed Breast Cancer Presentation Among Ghanaian Women

作者：Yehoda M. Martei, Verna D.N.K. Vanderpuye, Beth A. Jones · 发表于：The Oncologist · 年份：2018 · DOI：10.1634/theoncologist.2017-0409 · 被引用次数：70 · 研究领域：Global Cancer Incidence and Screening、Breast Cancer Treatment Studies、Cancer survivorship and care

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women globally. Most women in Ghana present with advanced stage disease. The aim of this study is to characterize sociocultural factors associated with delayed presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative study (grounded theory, constant comparative method) using individual in-depth interviews with breast cancer patients seen at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Interviews were conducted in English and three local languages. We achieved theoretical saturation with 31 participants. RESULTS: The mean length of delay reported by patients was approximately 1 year. Five recurrent themes were related to delayed presentation: (a) Women with a confirmed breast cancer diagnosis delay treatment because of the fear of mastectomy due to self and societal stigma; (b) role of the church as a social support system given the societal stigma associated with breast cancer; (c) study participants expressed some awareness of breast cancer, but with varying depths of breast cancer knowledge encompassing both myths and misconceptions about breast cancer; (d) most patients present late because they do not associate a "painless" breast lump with possible breast malignancy; and (e) delayed presentation linked to significant financial burden associated with breast cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite current efforts to increase breast cancer awareness, the fear of mastectomy remains one of the main reasons for ...