BACKGROUND: Little is known about the influence of culture and beliefs about breast cancer, and its implications on preventive health behaviour among South Asian people in the UK. METHODS: Using a qualitative approach, 24 South Asian breast cancer patients and their significant others were interviewed. RESULTS: Most patients were unfamiliar with the subject of cancer; they expressed lack of knowledge of cancer as a disease and its symptoms. They identified a painless lump in the breast as sign of abnormality, but not cancer. They also did not know any non-lump breast symptoms. Over half participated in breast screening after encouragement from daughters or relatives. Most did not practise breast self-examination. Perceptions of cancer and health behaviour were influenced by cultural beliefs. Common themes were cancer is a taboo subject and cancer is a stigma. Patients also expressed misunderstandings about the cause of cancer. Cancer in the family had ramifications on children' s marriage prospects and may cause marital breakdown. Terminology used also caused communication problems with healthcare professionals and within the family: the use of ' chest' to substitute ' breast' changed the meaning of the message conveyed. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural beliefs and practices accentuate difficulties in understanding breast cancer, breast screening and breast self-examination, and can prevent South Asian women from adopting preventive health practices.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the influence of culture and beliefs about breast cancer, and its implications on preventive health behaviour among South Asian people in the UK. METHODS: Using a qualitative approach, 24 South Asian breast cancerpatients and their significant others were interviewed. RESULTS: Most patients were unfamiliar with the subject of cancer; they expressed lack of knowledge of cancer as a disease and its symptoms. They identified a painless lump in the breast as sign of abnormality, but not cancer. They also did not know any non-lump breast symptoms. Over half participated in breast screening after encouragement from daughters or relatives. Most did not practise breast self-examination. Perceptions of cancer and health behaviour were influenced by cultural beliefs. Common themes were cancer is a taboo subject and cancer is a stigma. Patients also expressed misunderstandings about the cause of cancer. Cancer in the family had ramifications on children' s marriage prospects and may cause marital breakdown. Terminology used also caused communication problems with healthcare professionals and within the family: the use of ' chest' to substitute ' breast' changed the meaning of the message conveyed. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural beliefs and practices accentuate difficulties in understanding breast cancer, breast screening and breast self-examination, and can prevent South Asian women from adopting preventive health practices.
Authors: Cecily K Palmer; Mary C Thomas; Lesley M McGregor; Christian von Wagner; Rosalind Raine Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-10-01 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Jarmal Charles; Lindyann Lessey; Jennifer Rooney; Ingmar Prokop; Katherine Yearwood; Hazel Da Breo; Patrick Rooney; Ruth H Walker; Andrew K Sobering Journal: J Clin Mov Disord Date: 2017-04-12
Authors: David P French; Susan Astley; Adam R Brentnall; Jack Cuzick; Richard Dobrashian; Stephen W Duffy; Louise S Gorman; Elaine F Harkness; Fiona Harrison; Michelle Harvie; Anthony Howell; Andrew Jerrison; Matthew Machin; Anthony J Maxwell; Lorna McWilliams; Katherine Payne; Nadeem Qureshi; Helen Ruane; Sarah Sampson; Paula Stavrinos; Emma Thorpe; Fiona Ulph; Tjeerd van Staa; Victoria Woof; D Gareth Evans Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2020-06-18 Impact factor: 4.430