TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring causes of delays in help-seeking behaviours among symptomatic Omani women diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer - A qualitative study
AU - Al-Azri, Mohammed
AU - Al-Awaisi, Huda
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2022/12/1
Y1 - 2022/12/1
N2 - Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Oman; however, the majority of women are diagnosed at a relatively young age and late stage. Delays in BC diagnosis may be attributable to patient-related barriers to medical help-seeking, such as embarrassment arising from breast examinations or negative perceptions of cancer or a cancer diagnosis. Identifying and addressing patients-related barriers to medical help-seeking may help early BC detection, increase the survival rate, and improve prognosis. This study aimed to explore causes of delays in medical help-seeking behaviours among symptomatic Omani women diagnosed with late-stage BC. Methods: Purposeful sampling was used to identify Omani women diagnosed with late-stage BC (i.e., stages III or IV) at the two main referral oncology centres in Oman. Semi-structured individual interviews were utilised to collect data regarding the participants’ reasons for delaying seeking medical help. The qualitative framework analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 17 women participated in the study. The mean age was 41.94 ± 7.87 years (range: 27–56 years). Six reasons for delays in seeking medical help were identified, including: (1) Being in denial of BC symptoms; (2) normalisation of BC symptoms attributed to hormonal changes, dietary changes, or work-induced stress; (3) misinterpretation of BC symptoms attributed to other diseases or expectation of more alarming/obvious BC symptoms; (4) pursuit of alternative medicine remedies; (5) false reassurance or incorrect advice from family members or friends; and (6) practical barriers, such as childcare responsibilities and lack of access to transport. Conclusion: Several reasons were identified for delays in seeking medical help for BC symptoms, including cultural and emotional factors and a lack of knowledge of BC symptoms. Increased awareness of BC symptoms and a better understanding of Omani women's beliefs, cultures, and behaviours may help to reduce delays in BC presentation and diagnosis.
AB - Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Oman; however, the majority of women are diagnosed at a relatively young age and late stage. Delays in BC diagnosis may be attributable to patient-related barriers to medical help-seeking, such as embarrassment arising from breast examinations or negative perceptions of cancer or a cancer diagnosis. Identifying and addressing patients-related barriers to medical help-seeking may help early BC detection, increase the survival rate, and improve prognosis. This study aimed to explore causes of delays in medical help-seeking behaviours among symptomatic Omani women diagnosed with late-stage BC. Methods: Purposeful sampling was used to identify Omani women diagnosed with late-stage BC (i.e., stages III or IV) at the two main referral oncology centres in Oman. Semi-structured individual interviews were utilised to collect data regarding the participants’ reasons for delaying seeking medical help. The qualitative framework analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 17 women participated in the study. The mean age was 41.94 ± 7.87 years (range: 27–56 years). Six reasons for delays in seeking medical help were identified, including: (1) Being in denial of BC symptoms; (2) normalisation of BC symptoms attributed to hormonal changes, dietary changes, or work-induced stress; (3) misinterpretation of BC symptoms attributed to other diseases or expectation of more alarming/obvious BC symptoms; (4) pursuit of alternative medicine remedies; (5) false reassurance or incorrect advice from family members or friends; and (6) practical barriers, such as childcare responsibilities and lack of access to transport. Conclusion: Several reasons were identified for delays in seeking medical help for BC symptoms, including cultural and emotional factors and a lack of knowledge of BC symptoms. Increased awareness of BC symptoms and a better understanding of Omani women's beliefs, cultures, and behaviours may help to reduce delays in BC presentation and diagnosis.
KW - Breast cancer
KW - Delayed diagnosis
KW - Help-seeking behaviour
KW - Oman
KW - Symptoms
KW - Women
KW - Help-Seeking Behavior
KW - Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology
KW - Humans
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
KW - Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis
KW - Early Detection of Cancer/psychology
KW - Female
KW - Adult
KW - Qualitative Research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85141877863&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/3ac9138a-93a1-3713-bf51-445478d3105a/
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102229
DO - 10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102229
M3 - Article
C2 - 36332457
AN - SCOPUS:85141877863
SN - 1462-3889
VL - 61
SP - 102229
JO - European Journal of Oncology Nursing
JF - European Journal of Oncology Nursing
M1 - 102229
ER -