Myths and Misconceptions of Breast Cancer in the Pakistani Population
Sulhera Khan,
Sumeen Jalees,
Zohra Jabeen
et al.
Abstract:BackgroundBreast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in the female population. The cultural diversity, religious beliefs, myths, and misinformation regarding the disease contribute to diagnostic delays and enhanced burden on the healthcare system. This study aimed to ascertain the extent of knowledge and prevalence of erroneous beliefs and misconceptions regarding breast cancer among Pakistani women belonging to diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds.
MethodologyThis cross-sectional … Show more
“…Around 89%2 of breast cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage and 59% at an advanced stage. Part of the problem is the dominance of the patriarch and old religious beliefs3 that lead to misinformation regarding the disease. For example, the word breast might be associated with sexuality instead of health, while guidelines regarding modesty and fatalism4 prevent women from consulting doctors.…”
Traditional conservative, patriarchal culture is preventing Asian women diagnosed with breast cancer from seeking treatment in time. Sonia Sarkar reports
“…Around 89%2 of breast cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage and 59% at an advanced stage. Part of the problem is the dominance of the patriarch and old religious beliefs3 that lead to misinformation regarding the disease. For example, the word breast might be associated with sexuality instead of health, while guidelines regarding modesty and fatalism4 prevent women from consulting doctors.…”
Traditional conservative, patriarchal culture is preventing Asian women diagnosed with breast cancer from seeking treatment in time. Sonia Sarkar reports
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.