Understanding the Breast Cancer Experience of Latina Women

Abstract

Qualitative interviews were used to investigate the impact of breast cancer among Latina survivors. The findings revealed that Latina survivors were optimistic about their health, utilized cultural and religious recovery practices; and seemed to accept their diagnosis, fears and suffering as part of their personal journey. The survivors' narrative identified spirituality as central to their recovery and coping. Extended family and friends were the primary sources of support. Common issues were the impact of cancer on medical care problems, work concerns, the meaning of cancer, family well-being, emotional well-being, body image, and sexual health. Latina survivors, particularly those who are poor and speak limited English, often have inadequate insurance, receive unsatisfactory medical care, and experience poor physician-patient communication and relationship. These problems are directly related to health-care system factors as well as socio-ecological and language issues. In addition, many Latina survivors have inadequate resources and inaccurate beliefs that may affect their health care (e.g., delay, lack of follow-up), and overall quality of life. Results will inform a quantitative study with a larger sample of Latina breast cancer survivors.

Living with Cancer: An Experience of Profound Changes Brought on by Chemotherapy

“…Esto coincide con Oxlad et al, quienes develaron que el cambio de la apariencia física apareció en menor grado con respecto a otros efectos (10,26). Por el contrario, en comparación con otras investigaciones a nivel mundial, la imagen corporal es un fenómeno central (18,20,(27)(28)(29). Es así como en un estudio colombiano las mujeres reportaron verse afligidas por la caída del cabello afectando su autoimagen y sintiéndose avergonzadas (30).…”

“…Estas afirmaciones concuerdan con lo planteado por varios autores (18,28,33). Según Mitchell, el estado de ánimo de los participantes de su estudio cambiaba no solo de día a día, sino por horas.…”

Delays in Cancer Care Among Low-Income Minorities Despite Access

“…A small body of qualitative literature has examined breast or cervical cancer care among low-income women of color. Most focus on a single ethnicity, 13,[21][22][23] age group, 24 and time point along the care continuum, such as screening, 21,23 follow-up, 13,25 or survivorship, 15,22,26 and factors directly linked to adherence are overall not consistently delineated.…”

Adaptation of the Body Image after Breast Cancer Questionnaire in the Polish context: factorial structure and validity of the scale

“…The more invasive the treatment is, the less satisfied women are regarding their body and well-being. However, many researchers indicate (e.g., Ashing-Giwaa, Padilla, Bohorqueza, Tejeroa, & Garcia 2006;Fung, Lau, Fielding, Or, & Wai, 2001;Kissane et al, 1998;Pinto & Trunzo, 2004;Schou, Ekeberg, Sandvik, Hjermstad, & Ruland, 2005) that women who underwent breast-conservation surgery have a better body image, fewer body-change-related worries and feel more accepted by their spouses compared to women after mastectomy. Moreover, supplementary treatment in breast cancer patients may introduce additional health and appearance distortions relevant for body image.…”