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Chidebe RCW, Orjiakor TC, Okwu GC, Orji MGA, Nwosu-Zitta TO, Agha AA, Aruah SC, Okem-Akwiwu C, Nwakasi CC, Gyimah AA, Shinkafi-Bagudu Z, Onyedibe MCC, Okoye IJ, Darlingtina KE. "Not even my husband knows that I have this [breast cancer]": survivors' experiences in accessing, navigating and coping with treatment. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:112. [PMID: 38236480 PMCID: PMC10796523 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Nigeria has the highest burden of breast cancer (BC) in Africa. While the survival rates for BC are over 90% in many high-income countries; low-and middle-income countries like Nigeria have 40% BC survival rates. Prior studies show that the burden and poor BC survival rates are exacerbated by both health system and individual level factors, yet there is a paucity of literature on the experiences of BC survivors in Nigeria. Hence, this study explored the divergent and convergent experiences of BC survivors in accessing, navigating, and coping with treatment. METHODS Participants (N = 24, aged 35 to 73 years) were recruited and engaged in focus group discussions (group 1, n = 11; group 2, n = 13 participants). Transcripts were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes were identified: "I am carrying this [breast cancer] alone," "Living my life," "'God' helped me," and "A very painful journey." Participants described how they concealed their BC diagnosis from family and significant others while accessing and navigating BC treatment. Also, they adopted spiritual beliefs as a coping mechanism while sticking to their treatment and acknowledging the burden of BC on their well-being. CONCLUSIONS Our findings explored the emotional burden of BC diagnosis and treatment and the willingness of the BC survivors to find meaning in their diagnosis. Treatment for BC survivors should integrate supportive care and innovative BC access tools to reduce pain and mitigate the burdens of BC. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS The integration of innovative technologies for venous access and other treatment needs of BC is crucial and will improve survivorship. Non-disclosure of BC diagnosis is personal and complicated; hence, BC survivors need to be supported at various levels of care and treatment to make meaningful decisions. To improve survivorship, patient engagement is crucial in shared decision-making, collaboration, and active participation in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runcie C W Chidebe
- Project PINK BLUE-Health & Psychological Trust Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.
- Department of Sociology & Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
- Scripps Gerontology Center, Oxford, OH, USA.
| | - Tochukwu C Orjiakor
- Project PINK BLUE-Health & Psychological Trust Centre, Abuja, Nigeria
- Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Canada
- Health Policy Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu-Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Gloria C Okwu
- Project PINK BLUE-Health & Psychological Trust Centre, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Mary-Gloria A Orji
- Project PINK BLUE-Health & Psychological Trust Centre, Abuja, Nigeria
- Network of People Impacted By Cancer in Nigeria (NePICiN), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Theodora O Nwosu-Zitta
- Project PINK BLUE-Health & Psychological Trust Centre, Abuja, Nigeria
- Network of People Impacted By Cancer in Nigeria (NePICiN), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Agha A Agha
- Project PINK BLUE-Health & Psychological Trust Centre, Abuja, Nigeria
- Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Simeon C Aruah
- Radiation Oncology Department, National Hospital Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
- College of Medicine, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - Candidus C Nwakasi
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Akwasi Adjei Gyimah
- Department of Sociology & Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Scripps Gerontology Center, Oxford, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Ifeoma J Okoye
- College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
- University of Nigeria Centre of Excellence for Clinical Trials, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - K Esiaka Darlingtina
- Center for Health Equity Transformation, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
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