Impact of large-scale disasters on breast cancer care: A qualitative analysis of patient experiences during the 2011 triple disaster in Fukushima, Japan

Abstract

Large-scale disasters can severely impact breast cancer care, leading to treatment disruptions and delays. While empirical studies on these effects are limited, patient narratives provide valuable insights. This study explored treatment continuity and medical access among local breast cancer patients affected by the 2011 triple disaster through qualitative research methods.The study involved 21 local breast cancer patients diagnosed before the disaster. After obtaining consent, semi-structured interviews ranging from 20 min to an hour were conducted, and data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.The analysis identified five key themes: medical challenges, family roles and burdens, information access and communication, mental health effects, and evacuation difficulties. These themes highlight the range of challenges from immediate response to long-term recovery, showcasing the profound impacts of infrastructure damage and treatment disruptions, exacerbated by familial constraints and the need for reliable information, contributing to psychological and logistical complexities during evacuation.The findings underscore the critical need for ongoing care and address key challenges for breast cancer patients during disasters. Future research should focus on developing practical and prompt solutions to address these issues in disaster settings.