Cancer Support Needs for African American Breast Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

Abstract

Improved cancer screening and treatment advances have led to higher cancer survival rates in the United States. However, racial disparities in breast cancer survival persist for African American women who experience lower survival rates than white women. These disparities suggest that unmet needs related to survivorship still exist. This study focuses on the challenges that both African American cancer survivors and caregivers face across the cancer continuum. Five African American focus groups examined cancer survivor and caregiver support needs. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and uploaded into Atlas.ti. Thematic content analysis was applied to the text during the coding process. Themes were identified and emphasized based on the research team's integrated and unified final codes. Forty-one African Americans participated in five focus groups: 22 cancer survivors and 19 caregivers. Participants discussed five themes: (1) a culture that discourages the discussion of cancer; (2) lack of support services for African American cancer survivors; (3) lack of support services for cancer caregivers; (4) need for culturally appropriate cancer resources, including resources targeted at African American women; and (5) aspects that were helpful to cancer survivors and caregivers, including connecting with other survivors and caregivers, and having strong social support networks. We gained new insight into the unmet support needs for survivors and caregivers, especially when coping with the cancer experience continuum. While some cancer and caregiver support services exist, our study reveals a great need for services that incorporate the cultural differences that exist across races.

Evaluating Survivorship Experiences and Needs Among Rural African American Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Disparities exist in cancer diagnosis, treatment, morbidity, and mortality among minority BCS [11][12][13][14]. Recently, investigators identified unique challenges faced by rural BCS in North Carolina [13,14].…”

“…Recently, investigators identified unique challenges faced by rural BCS in North Carolina [13,14]. They found that despite increased public awareness, silence on the topic of cancer remains pervasive within the AA community due to fear of the social stigma associated with a cancer diagnosis [13,14].…”

“…Recently, investigators identified unique challenges faced by rural BCS in North Carolina [13,14]. They found that despite increased public awareness, silence on the topic of cancer remains pervasive within the AA community due to fear of the social stigma associated with a cancer diagnosis [13,14]. Investigators also found that AA-BCS lacked access to adequate support services or culturally appropriate cancer resources across the cancer continuum (diagnosis to postcancer care) [13,14].…”

“…They found that despite increased public awareness, silence on the topic of cancer remains pervasive within the AA community due to fear of the social stigma associated with a cancer diagnosis [13,14]. Investigators also found that AA-BCS lacked access to adequate support services or culturally appropriate cancer resources across the cancer continuum (diagnosis to postcancer care) [13,14]. Rural AA-BCS expressed significant concerns about interactions with their health care providers, as they perceived a lack of empathy and patience [14].…”

“…Rural AA-BCS expressed significant concerns about interactions with their health care providers, as they perceived a lack of empathy and patience [14]. Poor interaction with health care providers contributed to the overwhelming fear of cancer and the lack of information about pain, body image changes, and cancer recurrence [13,14]. On the other hand, rural AA-BCS engaged in positive coping strategies through personal faith and support of family and friends [13,14].…”