What is it about?
Data from 19 papers, from 11 Arab countries, were explored to understand some of the experiences of breast cancer. The main themes were 1. Perceptions and reactions to what is perceived as a death sentence, 2. Coping or enduring with the social, emotional and physical challenges associated with breast cancer; such as the avoidance of pity, and 3. Changing roles, dealing with the loss of identity as a self-reliant provider and protector of others to a care-receiver, and more positively to being a strong survivor championing for breast cancer to be seen as a curable or chronic illness rather than a death sentence
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Why is it important?
This is the first study bringing together published qualitative data from this region, showing some differences to experiences elsewhere.
Perspectives
This formed part of a literature review for my PhD in experiences of advanced breast cancer in Mauritania. The differences in experiences depending on the quality of care provided are strong motivators to improve communication and empowerment of these women.
Dr david fearon
Lancaster University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Experiences of breast cancer in Arab countries. A thematic synthesis, Quality of Life Research, October 2019, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s11136-019-02328-0.
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