Understanding the Breast Cancer Experience: a Qualitative Study of Malaysian Women

Azlina Yusuf,Zainal Mahamood,Soon Lean Keng,Imi Sairi Ab Hadi,Zulkifli Ahmad

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.6.3689

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common and leading cause of cancer mortality among Malaysian women. Despite good survival rates, the diagnosis of cancer still invokes the feeling of stress, fear and uncertainty. Because very little is known about the experiences of Malaysian women with breast cancer, a qualitative study using semi- structured interviews to explore the lived experience of newly diagnosed breast cancer. Using a purposive sampling method, 20 Malaysian women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, including Malays (n=10) and Chinese (n=10) were recruited in two main public hospitals in Kelantan. Similarities and divergence in women's experience were identified through thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Three themes emerged from the data: uncertainty experience of the illness, transition process and fatalistic view of breast cancer. In many ways, these findings were parallel with previous studies, suggesting that the experience of breast cancer is to a certain extent similar among women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. This study adds to the sparse literature concerning the experience of illness following breast cancer diagnosis among the Malays and Chinese. More importantly, this study addressed areas that were previously lacking, specifically in depth information on breast cancer experience from a developing country with a multi-ethnic population. The results of this investigation provide preliminary information to healthcare professionals on the impact of illness and cultural influence on survivorship to plan for appropriate education and supportive programme in order to meet the needs of breast cancer women more effectively.

Highlights

Breast cancer is the major health problem and cause of death worldwide (World Health Organization, 2012)
Breast cancer corresponds to 32.1% of all female newly diagnosed with cancers and 58% presented at early stages (Stage I and II) while 42% presented with late breast cancer, Stage III and IV (Zainal Ariffin and Nor Saleha, 2011)
This qualitative study was conducted to explore the experience of Malay and Chinese women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in the East Coast of peninsular Malaysia

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is the major health problem and cause of death worldwide (World Health Organization, 2012). Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality in developed and developing countries (Jemal et al, 2011; Zainal Ariffin and Nor Saleha, 2011). The National Cancer Registry reported that the most common cancer among Malaysian population regardless of sex and ethnicity were breast 18.1%; followed by colorectal 12.3%; and lung 10.2% (Zainal Ariffin and Nor Saleha, 2011). Breast cancer corresponds to 32.1% of all female newly diagnosed with cancers and 58% presented at early stages (Stage I and II) while 42% presented with late breast cancer, Stage III and IV (Zainal Ariffin and Nor Saleha, 2011). The incidence of breast cancer in Malaysia was highest among Chinese with age standardized rate (ASR) of 38.1 per 100,000 population followed by Indian 33.7 per 100,000 population and Malay 25.4 per 100,000 populations (Zainal Ariffin and Nor Saleha, 2011)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion