scholarly journals “If It Is Written by Allah, There Is Nothing That Can Stop It”: Saudi women’s breast cancer narratives

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-74
Author(s):  
T. H. Sinky ◽  
M. Cheyney ◽  
M. M. Dolcini
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cultural Models ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
Saudi Women

The purpose of this study was to identify cultural models of breast cancer held by Saudi women and to explore how these may influence early detection and treatment-seeking behaviors. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with breast cancer survivors (n=20) from two Western cities in Saudi Arabia. Respondents were recruited through social networking, using purposive, snowball sampling. Illness narratives elicited during interviews were transcribed, coded and then analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results suggest that fatalism, perceived threats to traditional role fulfillment, and a preference for traditional therapies commonly mark the breast cancer experiences of Saudi women, influencing their early detection and treatment-seeking behaviors. A more nuanced understanding of emic viewpoints could help to improve public health messaging and intervention strategies in Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals Male Partners’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perception of Women’s Breast Cancer in Abha, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3089
Author(s):  
Hassan M. Al-Musa ◽  
Nabil J. Awadalla ◽  
Ahmed A. Mahfouz
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Cancer Site ◽  
Male Partners ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Early Presentation ◽  
Saudi Women

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is ranked as the most frequently diagnosed cancer site among women in Saudi Arabia. Several studies in Saudi Arabia have reported low awareness of BC and significant obstacles to early presentation among Saudi women. A key sociocultural obstacle against breast screening and early detection of BC in several conservative cultures is that men manage women’s choices and activities. The aim of this research is to find out the key background knowledge, attitudes, and related practice among male partners in the city of Abha in relation to women’s BC prevention and means for early detection. Methods: A cross-sectional study targeting husbands aged 20 years or older chosen from the outpatient clinics in the Urban Primary Health Care Centers in Abha City. Through questionnaires, interview data were collected regarding knowledge about BC and wife practices and attitudes towards BC. Results: The study included 832 husbands. The study showed that only 20.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 19.9–24.1) of husbands had heard about mammography and only 22.1% had heard about breast self-examination among women as a screening test for BC. The most commonly mentioned variations that might occur in relation to BC were size changes (45.6%). The leading source of BC knowledge was from television (48.9%), and the least-mentioned source of information was healthcare workers (22.4%). Husbands mentioned that only 9.3% of wives had been examined before by mammography. In a multivariate logistic regression of male factors associated with wives’ practices and attitudes towards BC, only good knowledge among husbands was a significant factor. Conclusions: The study documented the low level of BC knowledge among male partners. There is an urgent need to pay more consideration to disseminating awareness among men, as they are associates, and they must be armed with proper awareness. There is an urgent demand for establishing a national program and educational campaigns towards BC. Stressing the advantages and access to free mammography is necessary.

scholarly journals Hidden voices: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of surviving breast cancer in Saudi Arabia

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 122-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa ALmegewly ◽  
Dinah Gould ◽  
Sally Anstey
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
God's Will ◽  
Saudi Women ◽  
Making Sense

Background Women with breast cancer often have difficulties in making sense of and understanding their experiences, specifically the ways in which cultural sensitivities impact on and shape their lifeworlds. Aims The aim of this study is to explore the experience of being a breast cancer survivor in Saudi Arabia. Methods Qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 Saudi breast cancer survivors aged between 30 and 50 years who had finished treatment 6–47 months before data collection. The data were transcribed verbatim, translated from Arabic into English and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results Three themes emerged: the meaning of cancer; hidden survival; and the cultural meaning of survival. For women in Saudi, breast cancer has a cultural stigma linked to death. It changes the sense of self and of society, leading some women to hide their diagnosis from the public and their families. The meaning of survival in a Muslim context has a cultural and religious base, linked to God's will, normality and resumption of activities. Conclusions The study helps give Saudi women a ‘voice’ through the understanding of their experiences of surviving breast cancer. The unique cultural perspectives provide new insights, which can guide healthcare practice and inform the development of programmes to support women who survive breast cancer.

scholarly journals Awareness and Knowledge of Breast Cancer Screening Methods among Women in Al-Qunfudah, Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
pp. 81-95
Author(s):  
Khaled A. Yaghmour ◽  
Safa J. Alamri ◽  
Rehab H. Alfaqeh ◽  
Layla M. Alnashri ◽  
Basma J. Alamri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Breast Cancer Screening ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Breast Self Examination ◽  
Saudi Women ◽  
Self Examination

Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women in Saudi Arabia. Screening helps in early detection and prompt treatment of breast cancer, leading to a better prognosis. Lack of knowledge and awareness of its screening methods can lead to bad outcomes. So far, little is known of women’s knowledge of breast cancer screening. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of breast cancer screening among Saudi women in Al-Qunfudah. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 203 adult Saudi women aged 18 years and above. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire from Saudi women in Al-Qunfudah, Saudi Arabia in 2019. The data were entered and statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Findings revealed that all the participants in this study heard of breast cancer, and their awareness of breast self-examination was high (93.6%). Awareness levels were lower concerning clinical breast examination (63.1%) and mammography (65.5%). However, only 43.3% correctly practiced breast self-examination, and 5.9% had ever heard of a mammogram. Knowledge of breast cancer screening with mammography screening was significantly related to participant age (P=0.04), marital status (P=0.008), and occupation (P=0.04). Furthermore, the relation between participants who underwent mammography and age was significant (P=0.001). Conclusion: Our data indicate that the knowledge, awareness, and practices were insufficient, and educational interventions are required in Al-Qunfudah to encourage young women to practice screening for early detection. 

The role of primary care centers in Saudi Arabia in the early detection of breast cancer

2019 ◽  
pp. 620-624
Author(s):  
Saad Alhumaidi ◽  
Abdullah Alshehri ◽  
Abdullah Altowairqi ◽  
Ahmad Alharthy ◽  
Bader Malki
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Early Detection

Heart Failure in Breast Cancer Survivors: Focus on Early Detection and Novel Biomarkers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongqing Chen ◽  
Conagh Kelly ◽  
Tatt Jhong Haw ◽  
Janine M. Lombard ◽  
Ina I. C. Nordman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Novel Biomarkers

scholarly journals The impact of consanguinity on women's attitudes toward molecular testing of breast cancer in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
pp. BMT57
Author(s):  
Bandar A Suliman
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Saudi Women ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in adult women in Saudi Arabia; however, awareness about molecular testing for breast cancer is insufficient. The authors aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes to determine sociodemographic factors that correlate with perceptions of genetic testing among Saudi women. Materials & methods: This cross-sectional community-based study used a questionnaire to investigate the relationships between various social and economic factors. Results: There was a significant difference in interest in undergoing molecular testing between women in consanguineous and non-consanguineous marriages. Conclusion: The data show that consanguinity adds an extra layer of complexity to other sociodemographic barriers that hinder the efficacy of early breast cancer detection and prevention programs in Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention Behavior among Women of Delhi, India: Identifying Barriers to Early Detection

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S40358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhojit Dey ◽  
Surabhi Sharma ◽  
Arti Mishra ◽  
Suneeta Krishnan ◽  
Jyotsna Govil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Initial Symptom ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Cancer Awareness ◽  
Early Presentation ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Prevention Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Background Globally, breast cancer (BC) has become the leading cause of mortality in women. Awareness and early detection can curb the growing burden of BC and are the first step in the battle against BC. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the awareness and perceived barriers concerning the early detection of BC. Methods A total of 20 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted during May 2013–March 2014. Pre-existing themes were used to conduct FGDs; each FGD group consisted of an average of ~10 women (aged ≥18–70 years) who came to participate in a BC awareness workshop. All FGDs were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were inductively analyzed using ATLAS.ti. Based on emerged codes and categories, thematic analysis was done, and theory was developed using the grounded theory approach. Results Data were analyzed in three major themes: i) knowledge and perception about BC; ii) barriers faced by women in the early presentation of BC; and iii) healthcare-seeking behavior. The findings revealed that shyness, fear, and posteriority were the major behavioral barriers in the early presentation of BC. Erroneously, pain was considered as an initial symptom of BC by most women. Financial constraint was also mentioned as a cause for delay in accessing treatment. Social stigma that breast problems reflect bad character of women also contributed in hiding BC symptoms. Conclusions Lack of BC awareness was prevalent, especially in low socioeconomic class. Women's ambivalence in prioritizing their own health and social and behavioral hurdles should be addressed by BC awareness campaigns appropriately suited for various levels of social class.

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