Community perceptions and individual experiences of breast cancer in communities in and around Bangalore, India: a qualitative study

Rates of breast reconstruction uptake and attitudes toward breast cancer and survivorship among south asians: A literature review

“…One commonly held myth is that cancer is contagious and can be spread by direct contact with someone who has a diagnosis. 34,35 The stigma surrounding breasts is no less strong. Breasts are considered "private organs" 34 and some South Asian women report hesitation when discussing concerns about breast health or undergoing a breast exam, even with their physicians.…”

“…34 A diagnosis of breast cancer can be isolating for a patient due to the combined effects of cancer and cultural taboos regarding breasts, resulting in social isolation from family and friends. As such, patients avoid sharing any concerns about physical symptoms that could be cancer 36 or forgo breast cancer screening or treatment altogether, 34,35 all of which can delay diagnosis and treatment. 36 A breast cancer diagnosis also affects the reputation of the patient's entire family.…”

“…34 Patient knowledge about breast cancer can be directly proportional to the degree of proximity to someone with a breast cancer diagnosis. 35 Thus, in the context of few patients sharing their diagnosis due to aforementioned stigmas, this form of knowledge dissemination is low. Most South Asian women reported that they received most information regarding breast cancer from mass media campaigns on the TV or radio or from private or government sponsorship.…”

“…Most South Asian women reported that they received most information regarding breast cancer from mass media campaigns on the TV or radio or from private or government sponsorship. 35 Awareness does seem to vary between various educational backgrounds. Bedi et al found that Punjabi immigrant women with a formal education were more likely to correctly attribute symptoms of breast cancer with a breast cancer diagnosis compared to those with no formal education.…”

“…Financial concerns, family stressors, and cultural concepts relating to the female body create significant, multifactorial barriers to breast cancer treatment among South Asian women. 4,8,35,36 High costs of breast reconstruction and low levels of access to healthcare are the primary factors with the largest impact on attitudes towards breast reconstruction. When the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEP) flap was introduced to a group of 10,299 women in India, 71.3% were open to reconstruction via DIEP flap but after further explanation of the cost (US $3500) and length of the surgery (6-8 h), that number dropped to 48.8%.…”