Abstract
This phenomenological study investigates the cultural meaning of femininity to immigrant Latina women and its significance in the consideration of decisions related to maintaining breast health. Theories of culture and health promotion support the concern for women’s need for access to health care in relation to breast health and the cultural barriers that interface between the connections of femininity, body image, and mental health. For Hispanic women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer generating distress for the individual, partner, and family. The importance of best practices in health promotion and risk reduction strategies in the early screening of women is emphasized in the literature. However, the voice of immigrant Latina women in describing their perspective of femininity and breast health and how it may affect choice and decision making related to breast self-care practices has not been studied. Five themes emerged from the data analysis conducted with Giorgi’s phenomenological method leading to an unfolded description of femininity: power of feminine identity through motherhood, hardiness is sustainability to overcoming adversity, connection to self and others, satisfaction meeting cultural gender-role expectations, and contemplative prevention to maintain breast integrity. The findings of this study will contribute to the increasing body of evidence-based practice related to understanding the impact of culture related to breast health. While the concept of femininity can be challenged not only by a diagnosis of breast cancer but also by other diseases and life conditions, understanding the cultural meaning of femininity to Latina women is pivotal to health care professionals as they partner with Latina women and community support groups to develop empowerment strategies and programs that promote choice and decision making involving breast health.
Highlights
The concept of femininity can be challenged by a diagnosis of breast cancer and by other diseases and life occurrences
Five themes emerged during the data analysis that contributed to the unfolded description of the meaning of femininity to Latina women
Focal meanings that were analyzed from the natural meaning units were identified by the following threads: (a) While femininity is expressed through rational thought, love sustains its power; (b) the act of breastfeeding empowers women and is essential in facilitating the bond between mother and child; and (c) the biological power of reproduction and the separate gender function of motherhood identifies the unique power of a Latina women
Summary
The concept of femininity can be challenged by a diagnosis of breast cancer and by other diseases and life occurrences. The resources for a woman diagnosed with breast cancer may not be identifiable, available, or accessible, especially to an immigrant Latina woman when language, legal, medical, and cultural barriers may be too difficult to overcome (Ashing-Giwa, Padilla, Bohorquez, Tejero, & Garcia, 2006) In their ethnographic study, Hunt and deVoogd (2005) found that clinicians did not understand the Latina culture’s role in decision making and that their. A major goal of the organization is to offer breast cancer prevention and risk reduction strategies through culturally sensitive community education Their charter stipulates their vision of being a breast cancer information resource that will serve and strengthen the community by responding to their needs and working together to address them. As the researchers gained acceptance and trust by the group members, they were asked to assist the coalition in developing a culturally sensitive health promotion program related to breast health
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