Cultural beliefs about breast cancer in Vietnamese women

Socio-cultural beliefs and perceptions influencing diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer among women in Ghana: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ghana and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women. Few published empirical evidence exist on cultural beliefs and perceptions about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Ghana. This systematic review sought to map evidence on the socio-cultural beliefs and perceptions influencing the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer among Ghanaian women.

METHODS

This review was conducted following the methodological guideline of Joanna Briggs Institute and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase. Studies that were conducted on cultural, religious, and spiritual beliefs were included. The included studies were screened by title, abstract, and full text by three reviewers. Data were charted and results were presented in a narrative synthesis form.

RESULTS

After the title, abstract, and full-text screening, 15 studies were included. Three categories were identified after the synthesis of the charted data. The categories included: cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs and misconceptions about breast cancer. The cultural beliefs included ancestral punishment and curses from the gods for wrongdoing leading to breast cancer. Spiritual beliefs about breast cancer were attributed to spiritual or supernatural forces. People had the religious belief that breast cancer is a test from God and they resorted to prayers for healing. Some women perceived that breast cancer is caused by spider bites, heredity, extreme stress, trauma, infections, diet, or lifestyle.

CONCLUSION

This study adduces evidence of the socio-cultural beliefs that impact on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer among women in Ghana. Taking into consideration the diverse cultural and traditional beliefs about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, there is a compelling need to intensify nationwide public education on breast cancer to clarify the myths and misconceptions about the disease. We recommend the need to incorporate socio-cultural factors influencing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment into breast cancer awareness programs, education, and interventions in Ghana.

Understanding Diabetes Self-Management Among Vietnamese Americans: A Focused Ethnography

INTRODUCTION

The Vietnamese American (VA) population is projected to grow to 3.9 million by 2030. This demographic shift could affect health care cost as VAs have greater susceptibility for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Few studies have explored diabetes self-management (DSM) among VAs. The aim of this study was to explore and describe how VAs with T2DM perceive diabetes and DSM practices.

METHOD

A focused ethnographic design, using semi-structured interviews and participant observation, was used to understand DSM among VAs.

RESULTS

The following four themes emerged: (a) defining diabetes and its etiology, (b) body awareness as a way of managing diabetes, (c) maintaining strength after being diagnosed with diabetes, and (d) navigating sources of information regarding diabetes.

DISCUSSION

The study findings suggest that DSM is a complex and recursive process, with integrations of cultural practices and influences from the environment. These findings can help the development of culturally tailored interventions to assist with DSM.

Predictive power of PEN-3 cultural model in cervical cancer screening among women: a cross- sectional study in South of Iran

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer (CC) can be prevented through early detection facilitated by screening as well as an early diagnosis and effective treatment of the precancerous lesions. The present research aimed to determine the predictors of cervical cancer screening (CCS) based on the PEN-3 model constructs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2021- March 2022 with 840 women aged 15-49 in the city of Bandar Abbas, in the south of Iran, using a cluster sampling. The participants completed a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire in person. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, knowledge toward CC and the constructs of the PEN-3 model toward CCS. A multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the relationship and predictive power of model constructs with behavior as an outcome variable. The data were statistically analyzed in STATA14.2. The p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 810 questionnaires were analyzed (with a return of 95.63%). The mean and standard deviation of the participants' age was 30.97 ± 5.80 years. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis of all constructs and CCS behavior was statistically significant (P-value < 0.05). The multivariable logistic regression analytic results were enablers toward CCS (coefficient: 0.275) and Nurturers toward CCS (coefficient: 0.182), perceptions toward CCS (coefficient: 0.077) and knowledge toward CC (coefficient: 0.048, marginal significant) were predictors of CCS behavior. For the internal validity of the designed prediction model, a sample of 1000 was selected using the bootstrap sample replacement method which demonstrated the accuracy of the model PEN-3 is about 75% in predicting CCS behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present research showed that personal factors such as perceptions and interpersonal factors such as enablers and nurturers toward CCS can predict CCS behavior. Therefore, in order to increase the acceptance of CCS in women, a set of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors should be taken into account.

Can popular films instil carcinophobia? Images of cancer in popular Polish cinema

Introduction

Although cancer is currently considered a serious socio-medical challenge and health education in Poland has been positioned as a public health priority, the impact of popular culture on people's ideas about cancer has been neglected. This study therefore aims to analyse the way popular Polish films portray cancer and the experience of cancer.

Material and Methods

Seven popular Polish films featuring cancer were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The main categories included in the coding frame were disease, therapy, patient, physicians/oncologists and psychosocial issuses related to cancer.

Results

Polish films fail to provide the audience with basic information about the disease, its diagnoses and treatment and cancer is often represented as a mysterious disease with an unclear cause, an unpredictable and unsuccessful course of treatment, characterised by pain, suffering and inevitable death. Films may therefore instil carcinophobia. Since films accurately reflect problems of daily life faced by cancer patients and their families they have educational potential.

Conclusion

Although Polish films reinforce harmful stereotypes about cancer, its treatment, oncological institutions and specialists, cinema has the ability to raise the public's and health professionals' awareness regarding the psycho-social and emotional strains faced by cancer patients and the medical problems related to cancer.

Can popular films instil carcinophobia? Images of cancer in popular Polish cinema

Introduction

Although cancer is currently considered a serious socio-medical challenge and health education in Poland has been positioned as a public health priority, the impact of popular culture on people’s ideas about cancer has been neglected. This study therefore aims to analyse the way popular Polish films portray cancer and the experience of cancer.

Material and Methods

Seven popular Polish films featuring cancer were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The main categories included in the coding frame were disease, therapy, patient, physicians/oncologists and psychosocial issuses related to cancer.

Results

Polish films fail to provide the audience with basic information about the disease, its diagnoses and treatment and cancer is often represented as a mysterious disease with an unclear cause, an unpredictable and unsuccessful course of treatment, characterised by pain, suffering and inevitable death. Films may therefore instil carcinophobia. Since films accurately reflect problems of daily life faced by cancer patients and their families they have educational potential.

Conclusion

Although Polish films reinforce harmful stereotypes about cancer, its treatment, oncological institutions and specialists, cinema has the ability to raise the public’s and health professionals’ awareness regarding the psycho-social and emotional strains faced by cancer patients and the medical problems related to cancer.

Assessing the Impact of a Patient Navigator Intervention Program for Vietnamese-American Women with Abnormal Mammograms

Breast cancer incidence among Asian Americans increased at a rate of 1.8% per year from 2014 to 2018, while the general population's incidence rate remained stable. Vietnamese-American women have been found to have the longest follow-up time after an abnormal mammogram. This study assesses the impact of a patient navigator program for Vietnamese-American women who received abnormal mammograms. Ninety-six Vietnamese-American participants with abnormal mammograms were assigned a Vietnamese patient navigator to provide emotional support, education, translation, and assistance with medical bills and doctor's appointments. Data collected from pre-test, post-test (1 year after initial enrollment in program), and 3-month follow-up surveys measured psychosocial outcomes and participant satisfaction. All 96 participants attended follow-up appointments for their abnormal mammograms. Psychosocial outcomes worsened from pre- to post-test, though these results were not statistically significant. Feeling in control of situations in one's life improved and was significant for participants who did not receive a breast cancer diagnosis (4.31, 5.04, p = .039). A majority of the participants reported satisfaction with their patient navigators. Vietnamese-American women have been found to be the least adherent to appropriate follow-up after an abnormal mammogram; in this study, all 96 participants attended a follow-up appointment within 90 days. Findings did not show improvements in psychosocial outcomes. Past research suggests that sociocultural factors may be at play: the initial abnormal mammogram may have triggered fatalistic thoughts affecting the reactions of the participants, even though the abnormal mammogram did not result in a breast cancer diagnosis.

Symptom Disclosure Process Among Iranian Women With Self-discovered Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among Iranian women. Symptom disclosure plays an important role in help-seeking behavior among women with self-discovered breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explain how symptoms are disclosed by Iranian women.

METHODS

This study was conducted based on the grounded theory qualitative approach. Twenty-two Iranian women with breast cancer, who discovered the symptoms themselves and were referred to 2 teaching hospitals in Tehran and Qazvin, were included via purposive and theoretical sampling. The data were collected through semistructured interviews and were analyzed based on the Corbin and Strauss approach.

RESULTS

The process of symptom disclosure had 5 stages including identifying the symptoms, evaluating and interpreting the symptoms, weighing the disclosure conditions, selecting the disclosure audience, and disclosing. The perceived threat was identified as the core category. On the basis of the level of threat perception and the seriousness of the symptoms, the 3 patterns of immediate disclosure, delayed disclosure, and nondisclosure were recognized.

CONCLUSION

Perceived threat is the main motivator for rapid disclosure in Iranian women with potential breast cancer symptoms and leads to a better follow-up of the symptoms. Therefore, increasing women's awareness about breast cancer symptoms, treatments, and non-follow-up consequences leads to a better perception of the threat level.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

According to these findings, it is very important to increase Iranian women's awareness about the symptoms of breast cancer (especially the nonspecific ones). For this purpose, it is necessary to design educational interventions.

Breast Cancer messaging in Vietnam: an online media content analysis

Background

Breast cancer incidence is increasing in Vietnam with studies indicating low levels of knowledge and awareness and late presentation. While there is a growing body of literature on challenges faced by women in accessing breast cancer services, and for delivering care, no studies have sought to analyse breast cancer messaging in the Vietnamese popular media. The aim of this study was to investigate and understand the content of messages concerning breast cancer in online Vietnamese newspapers in order to inform future health promotional content.

Methods

This study describes a mixed-methods media content analysis that counted and ranked frequencies for media content (article text, themes and images) related to breast cancer in six Vietnamese online news publications over a twelve month period.

Results

Media content (n = 129 articles & n = 237 images) sampled showed that although information is largely accurate, there is a marked lack of stories about Vietnamese women’s personal experiences. Such stories could help bridge the gap between what information about breast cancer is presented in the Vietnamese media, and what women in Vietnam understand about breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, screening and treatment.

Conclusions

Given findings from other studies indicating low levels of knowledge and women with breast cancer experiencing stigma and prejudice, more nuanced and in-depth narrative-focused messaging may be required.