Battling Breast Cancer: Women’s Narratives of Struggle, Family Support and Survival from Rural Sindh, Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-40
Author(s):  
Nadia Agha ◽  
Maliha Gull Tarar
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Women's Narratives ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Awareness Raising ◽  
Depth Interviews

Breast cancer poses a major health risk to Pakistani women causing 40,000 deaths annually in Pakistan (Pink Ribbon 2019). Based on 40 in-depth interviews with women who have been treated for breast cancer from rural Sindh, this study explores the extent to which families, living in rural and less developed areas with poor socio-economic conditions, provide support to the patients. The results show that women as well as their husbands’ level of education and awareness is correlated to delayed access to medical services. Our findings show that husband’s support and empathy has a therapeutic effect on cancer patients. Women’s well-being and self-esteem was strongly associated with how men saw and dealt with their disease. Based on the findings, we recommend introducing awareness raising programmes and a well-integrated social support system to help the patients and particularly men who control women’s lives.

scholarly journals Understanding the Occupational Adaptation Process and Well-Being of Older Adults in Magallanes (Chile): A Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palma ­Candia ◽  
Hueso­Montoro ◽  
Martí-García ◽  
Fernández-Alcántara ◽  
Campos-Calderón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Adaptation Process ◽  
Occupational Adaptation ◽  
Use Of Time ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Interpretative Approach ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background: Aging and longevity are important topics nowadays. Purpose: To describe how older adults perform the occupational adaptation process in the extreme region of Magallanes (Chile), and to identify the factors that might contribute to successful occupational adaptation and well-being. Method: Qualitative study, with a phenomenological interpretative approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 16 older adults, with high or low levels of well-being, assessed with the Ryff Scale. An inductive content analysis according to Elo and Kyngäs was performed. Findings: Resilience, self-esteem and interdependence with significant others are key elements that promote well-being. Participants develop strategies to minimize the effects of environmental factors. The occupation’s function in terms of socialization, use of time, and social participation is revealed as a conditioning factor of occupational adaptation. Implications: Interventions with older people to achieve a successful occupational adaptation process must take into consideration the commitment to meaningful activities.

scholarly journals Participating in a support group: experience lived by women with breast cancer

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 733-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cleoneide Paulo Oliveira Pinheiro ◽  
Raimunda Magalhães da Silva ◽  
Marli Villela Mamede ◽  
Ana Fátima Carvalho Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Carcinoma ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The City ◽  
Group Experience ◽  
Differentiated Care

The goal of the study was to understand the meaning of support groups in the life of women with breast cancer. It is a qualitative study with 30 mastectomized women who belonged to six support groups in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará. Data were collected with semi-structured interviews, organized and analyzed based on the interactionism concept. The results characterized the support groups as a mechanism to cope with the situation and to overcome the suffering derived from the diagnosis and treatment of the breast carcinoma. The socialization of the experiences facilitated the search for assistance in the support groups, since sharing the problems with mastectomized women was a way to preserve a high self-esteem, have faith and overcome some difficulties. Participating in the group provided well-being and a differentiated care, since it was considered a way to know, accept and understand the disease and its cure, facilitating the socialization of ideas.

scholarly journals The implications of women’s activity limitations and role disruptions during breast cancer survivorship

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 174550571875638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Keesing ◽  
Lorna Rosenwax ◽  
Beverley McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Women Survivors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Functional Activities ◽  
Productive Activities ◽  
Services And Supports ◽  
Suitable Framework ◽  
Life Roles ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Health And Well Being

Early survivorship is a time of critical transition for women survivors of breast cancer as they attempt to resume functional activities and important life roles. This study aimed to explore the challenges of women and their partners as they attempted to resume activities and roles, identify unmet needs and make recommendations regarding a suitable framework to support women and partners to recommence valued activities and important roles during early survivorship. Qualitative methods utilising in-depth interviews of women (n = 18) and their partners (n = 8), and two focus groups (n = 10) were completed in Perth, Western Australia, between June 2014 and April 2015. These methods were used to facilitate women and partners’ views regarding the resumption of previously meaningful activities and important life roles during early survivorship. Questions addressed their individual and shared experiences concerning self-care, leisure, social and productive activities and important roles. Thematic analysis was employed to determine themes. Women and partners reported significant impact on their ability to engage in valued activities, resulting in changes to participation in meaningful roles. Three themes were determined: (1) ambiguity regarding survivorship prevents resumption of activities and previous roles, (2) breast cancer continues to impact a couples’ relationship during survivorship, and (3) support is needed to assist women and partners to resume activities and important roles. This research provides evidence suggesting that the ongoing symptoms of breast cancer treatment continue to impact many women and their partners, as they attempt to resume functional activities and important life roles during early survivorship. Disruption to these valued activities and roles may influence women and their partner’s health and well-being during early survivorship and extend beyond this period. Rehabilitation following cessation of treatment could be offered as required to facilitate access to multi-disciplinary services and supports for both individuals and couples.

Beliefs and perceptions about breast cancer among the people living in rural and less privileged areas in Sindh, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-214
Author(s):  
Nadia Agha ◽  
Rahim Dad Rind
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Incurable Disease ◽  
The People ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeGlobally, women suffer from a lack of knowledge about breast cancer (BC), its symptoms and treatment. The purpose of this paper is to examine how people living in rural and less developed areas in Pakistan perceive BC. The study investigates the level of knowledge about BC in rural communities and analyses how the prevalent perceptions and beliefs impact women's lives and delay the diagnosis.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on 42 in-depth interviews with the women who have undergone BC treatment during the past five years. The participants were interviewed were the residents of the northern Sindh, southern Pakistan.FindingsFindings show that BC was perceived as a contagious disease transmitted through touching or being physically close to the patient. Some women were abandoned by their husbands because of this perception. Faith in fatalism and the perception that BC is an incurable disease were common in communities with low socio-economic status. This is likely to affect the prevention and early detection of BC.Originality/valueThe study shows a strong co-relation of awareness with the prevalent perceptions regarding BC. Therefore, we recommend promoting health literacy and introducing culturally specific interventions in remote communities to enhance their understanding of the available treatment and help remove misconceptions about BC.

scholarly journals Role of the HIV-sensitive protection services in mitigating the challenges and vulnerability of the children affected by HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahmina Afroz ◽  
Suborna Camellia ◽  
Tajudeen Oyewale ◽  
M Ziya Uddin ◽  
Ilias Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Children And Parents ◽  
Psychosocial Counselling ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Access Services ◽  
Hiv Aids

Children are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of HIV/AIDS. HIV-sensitive protection services (HSPS) can reduce vulnerability by increasing access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and basic social protection services. Few organizations in Bangladesh offer these services to children affected by HIV/AIDS (CABA). This paper reports on the challenges faced by CABA due to their or their parents HIV/AIDS status and the role of HSPS on mitigating these challenges. We did fifteen in-depth interviews with purposively chosen CABA, and seventeen in-depth interviews with purposively chosen caregivers of CABA. We found, CABA faced significant challenges such as poverty, emotional stress, stigma in their lives. Gender norms increased these vulnerabilities especially among women. HSPS services helped through motivating parents or guardians to send their children to school and thus reduce child marriage and child labour. Also, helped in improving childrens self-esteem with improving relationships between children and parents. Though the services were available, accessibility was limited due to distance, roundtrip cost, poor health conditions of the parents and gender issues. HSPS are effective in improving childrens well-being. Continued and increased support to access services including financial assistance, psychosocial counselling, and community sensitization activities is recommended.

Positive Psychology Group Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomised Trial

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Victoria Cerezo ◽  
Margarita Ortiz-Tallo ◽  
Violeta Cardenal ◽  
Alejandro de la Torre-Luque
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Experimental Group

This study assessed the effects of a psychological group intervention based on positive psychology in women with breast cancer. 175 women were randomly assigned either to an experimental group, receiving the 14-session intervention ( n = 87), or to a waitlist group ( n = 88) that did not receive any type of intervention. For treatment, a group intervention was applied, based on improving psychological strengths and enhancing positive psychology-based styles of coping. Strength-related outcomes, self-esteem, well-being, and happiness were assessed before and after the intervention. The experimental group showed higher scores on all of the study variables after the intervention. Participants reported improved self-esteem, emotional intelligence-related abilities, resilience, and optimism, as well as positive affectivity, well-being, and happiness. The results show a beneficial effect of this psychological intervention based on positive psychology on female breast cancer patients' psychological health.

scholarly journals COMPETITIVE PRESSURES ON THE ARTISAN COFFEE ROASTER SEGMENT IN THE STATE OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL: A MULTI-CASE STUDY

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Elisa Reis Guimarães ◽  
Helga Cristina Carvalho De Andrade ◽  
Álvaro Dos Reis Cozadi ◽  
Luiz Marcelo Antonialli ◽  
Antônio Carlos Dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Minas Gerais ◽  
The State ◽  
Consumer Education ◽  
Specialty Coffee ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Awareness Raising ◽  
Competitive Forces ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Coffee Roasting

The specialty coffee market is still little known and underexplored in Brazil, motivating an analysis of the competitive pressures and structure of the artisan coffee roaster segment in the state of Minas Gerais, in order to better understand it and encourage the adoption of specific policies for its expansion, besides comparing it to the commodity coffee roasting segment. A multi-case study was performed with three companies in this segment through in-depth interviews with their owners. There were significant changes in the competitive forces that shape the coffee industry, when comparing the specialty and commodity coffee segments, both in intensity and in motivations. Among the suggested policies to support the specialty coffee segment are its promotion and dissemination through “consumer education” and awareness raising on the differentiated properties of these products, besides providing subsidized courses and specializations for those who wish to be involved in this marketplace.

Self‐transformation as a factor in the self‐esteem and well‐being of breast cancer survivors

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1402-1411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet S. Carpenter ◽  
Dorothy Y. Brockopp ◽  
Michael A. Andrykowski
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self
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