The lived experiences of Latinas

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among Latina women in the US. Studies have not traditionally considered all of the intersecting factors affecting women's health. In particular, the experiences of Latina breast cancer survivors have not been systematically explored from a feminist ecological perspective. Therefore, this study considered contextual identities, relational, institutional, global, historical and political forces (Ballou, Matsumoto, & Wagner, 2002) that are part of the breast cancer experience of Latina women. The purpose of this study was to give voice to, and gain an understanding of, the lived experiences of Latina breast cancer survivors as they navigate the health care system and face their realities as women of a minority group in the US. Individual interviews were conducted within a feminist qualitative methodology of inquiry. The IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) (Smith, 1996) method guided the analysis and interpretation of the interviews expanded by the feminist ecological model. Further, the study critically examined these results in relation to existing literature and theory. The results illuminated the diverse lived experiences of Latina breast cancer survivors which were influenced by a number of individual and contextual factors. The areas of inquiry included: the meaning of identity changes, the family's perspective on the illness, support systems as well as resistance and strengths shown by these women in facing systemic barriers. Finally, major themes revealed the importance of cultural values, family, children, social connection and support groups in the community. The implications of these findings from a feminist ecological perspective suggest the need for systemic changes and the relevance of culturally sensitive interventions to support Latina women diagnosed with breast cancer.