The narrow treatment road to survival: Everyday life perspectives of women with breast cancer from Iraq and the former Yugoslavia undergoing radiation therapy in Sweden

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring how women from Iraq and the former Yugoslavia, diagnosed with breast cancer and living in Sweden, experience their everyday life during radiation therapy. A qualitative research design was used comprising interviews with ten women, five originating from Iraq and five from the former Yugoslavia. Striving to survive, the women experienced their everyday life during radiation therapy as extremely challenging. This experience can be placed into three categories: strategies for survival, keeping up appearances and staying in control. Because of these specific challenges, immigrant women may need additional information and guidance in conjunction with the diagnosis, which may enable them to identify possible sources of support from those closest to them. Also, greater attention should focus on acknowledging the woman behind the diagnosis, regardless of her origin, to develop an individualised support programme to help her cope with everyday life during radiation therapy.

Immigrant women cancer survivors’ perceptions of healthcare services in Canada: A phenomenological study

“…Social support provided by healthcare providers assists in the development of a sense of emotional comfort and security among breast cancer patients. [26] In their study, Duffy and Aquino-Russell (2007) indicated that Canadian-born female cancer survivors had memorable connections with nurses who made a difference in their cancer journey. [27] Although the participants received quality care and found volunteer services to access cancer centers, they experienced delays in accessing health services and had unmet needs that increased their anxiety during their cancer survivorship journey.…”

“…[38] It is essential to point out that parents newly diagnosed with cancer find communicating the news with their children difficult. [26,39] If children are not informed about their parents' cancer diagnoses, they can draw meaning from the changes in their family (i.e., physical and psychological health). [39] Previous studies have indicated that children of single mothers with cancer experience poor adjustment and more problems due to poor social support from their partner and family conflicts.…”