The experiences, needs and concerns of younger women with breast cancer: a meta‐ethnography

Abstract

Objective: This meta-ethnography synthesises the evidence on the experiences, needs and concerns of younger women with breast cancer.Methods: Using a method called 'reciprocal translation' we developed a conceptual model to reflect the local and social contexts, issues, processes, needs and concerns of importance in this literature.Findings: Key findings relate to the particular point in the life-course at which young women with breast cancer stand. Issues for these women relate to feeling different as a result of cancer, fear of recurrence, feeling 'out of sync' and altered embodied subjectivity. Young women with breast cancer use three processes to integrate the changes that cancer brings, namely, balancing, normalising and changing. Our conceptual model also highlights young women's needs, primarily for support, information, childcare, counselling and spiritual support. Areas of reproduction, fertility and sexuality were also of particular concern. The included papers have methodological limitations that impact on our findings, such as opportunistic data analyses, lack of theoretical frameworks and limited reference to socio-cultural factors.Conclusion: The conceptual model developed as a result of this meta-ethnography provides a basis for practitioners to address these young women's concerns more adequately and comprehensively.

Exploring patient experiences of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

“…A recent literature synthesis on the experiences, needs and concerns of younger women with breast cancer reported underdeveloped social support networks and concerns regarding reproduction, fertility and sexuality (Adams, McCann, Armes, Richardson, Stark, Watson et al 2011). Younger women have to balance their own needs against the needs of their family, trying to protect children from the impact of the cancer and meet the financial demands of the household by maintaining paid employment (Adams, McCann, Armes, Richardson, Stark, Watson et al 2011). These age related issues were at the fore for participants in the current study.…”

“…It has been reported that younger women with breast cancer experience higher levels of distress, are more likely to be depressed and cope less well than older women (Cimprich, Ronis, Martinez-Ramos 2002;). A recent literature synthesis on the experiences, needs and concerns of younger women with breast cancer reported underdeveloped social support networks and concerns regarding reproduction, fertility and sexuality (Adams, McCann, Armes, Richardson, Stark, Watson et al 2011). Younger women have to balance their own needs against the needs of their family, trying to protect children from the impact of the cancer and meet the financial demands of the household by maintaining paid employment (Adams, McCann, Armes, Richardson, Stark, Watson et al 2011).…”

Motherhood and Well-Being in Young Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Other studies investigating the survivorship experience of young BCS have used a similar age cut-off [24]. The following eligibility criteria were used: participants were required to: have the ability to read and comprehend English and be over 18 years of age.…”

“…Having a diagnosis under the age of 45 is not a universal age cut-off for a 'young' breast cancer diagnosis. But studies have shown that 45 is an appropriate age to choose because it is inclusive of young BCS with dependent children living at home [24].…”

Special Needs of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Limited Resource Settings

“…Given the paucity of research into the requirements of this young population group 19,20 , studies are greatly needed to characterize this vulnerable population, particularly those living in socioeconomic disadvantage marked by little access to health care. In this manuscript, we aim to analytically explore existing knowledge regarding the needs of YWBC in LMICs to provide a better understanding of their specific requirements and to guide the future targeted strategies for healthcare providers in limited resource settings.…”