A qualitative study on women’s breast cancer diagnosis disclosure preferences and disclosure experiences in a middle-income country
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Date
2023
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Publisher
International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences
Abstract
With the increasing cancer incidence in Ghana especially breast cancer among women, its diagnosis and prog nosis present enormous fear and worry for women and their families. Thus, breaking the news of breast cancer
diagnosis to patients presents enormous difficulty to healthcare professionals.
Aim: This study sought to explore the preferences of people living with breast cancer regarding the disclosure of
their diagnosis.
Methods: The study used an exploratory-descriptive qualitative design to recruit and interviewed 17 women
diagnosed with breast cancer and receiving treatment in a National Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Center
of a major Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s 2006 thematic analysis
approach.
Findings: Two major themes, six subthemes, and five sub-subthemes were generated from the data. The study
found that patients preferred detailed information on the stage of their cancer diagnosis, treatment options, and
the lifestyle necessary to enhance their health. The participants preferred that the news of their diagnosis be
broken to them gradually in the form of a conversation with consolatory gestures, without any hidden infor mation. From the study, clinicians do not follow any specific systematic method in the disclosure process, cli nicians used a conversation approach involving consolation, encouragement, comic words, and pampering
mostly in disclosing cancer diagnosis which was found relieving.
In conclusion, People living with breast cancer prefer full gradual disclosure of diagnosis in a conducive envi ronment in the presence of loved ones in a humane manner
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Breast cancer, Diagnosis disclosure, Ghanaian women’s preferences