Abstract
Abstract Background Breast cancer diagnosis in Nigeria is perceived by most as a death sentence and women who have been diagnosed have to battle with different choices at any given time, whether to fight so as to survive, what if they fight and lose, or maybe it is better not to fight at all judging from different cases discussed during our monthly cancer patient support group meetings. Making informed choices with limited resources is the bane of many breast cancer patients who feel guilty spending so much on their medical care while their family suffers financial neglect. This is because health insurance covers barely 10% of the country’s population and most families pays out of pocket. Some women on the other hand completely ignore their treatment and channel these resources towards education and general welfare of other members of their families. Aim To determine the extent to which financial choices made by women who are diagnosed and are undergoing treatment of breast cancer in Nigeria affects their treatment journey. Method A qualitative research approach was used and structural interview was used to collect data. Female breast cancer patient who are undergoing treatment and those who are through with their treatment {chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy} and are currently on periodic check up with their oncologists participated in the study. Grounded theory was used in data analyses. Results Most of the patients interviewed had at one time or the other suspended their treatments in order to take care of pressing family issues and these had caused delays in proceeding with their treatment with its attendant consequences. Presentation Oral Presentation Citation Format: Gloria C. Okwu, Theodora O. Nwosu-Zita, Amina E. Haruna. Making Choices with Scarce Resources While Battling Breast Cancer In Nigeria [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-05-07.
Published Version
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