OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer rates are increasing among Samoan and other Pacific Islander women, yet studies of their social support needs are nearly non-existent. The purpose of this paper is to report on the cultural dimensions of social support among Samoan breast cancer survivors in Southern California. METHODS: Data for this paper came from a larger one-and-a-half year study of the social support needs of Samoan breast cancer survivors and their family and friends. In-depth, retrospective, qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 20 Samoan survivors who were recruited from an existing social support program as well as the general community. RESULTS: We documented important informational needs and behaviors, social support needs and experiences, and spirituality issues for the Samoan breast cancer survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the need for culturally-specific social support services for Samoans, as well as the necessity of community-based participatory research to define and explore social support and other survivorship needs in this understudied population. Recommendations from the community report-back, stressed the importance of expanding community Samoan cancer social support groups through collaborations with Samoan leaders and churches.
OBJECTIVE:Breast cancer rates are increasing among Samoan and other Pacific Islander women, yet studies of their social support needs are nearly non-existent. The purpose of this paper is to report on the cultural dimensions of social support among Samoan breast cancer survivors in Southern California. METHODS: Data for this paper came from a larger one-and-a-half year study of the social support needs of Samoan breast cancer survivors and their family and friends. In-depth, retrospective, qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 20 Samoan survivors who were recruited from an existing social support program as well as the general community. RESULTS: We documented important informational needs and behaviors, social support needs and experiences, and spirituality issues for the Samoan breast cancer survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the need for culturally-specific social support services for Samoans, as well as the necessity of community-based participatory research to define and explore social support and other survivorship needs in this understudied population. Recommendations from the community report-back, stressed the importance of expanding community Samoan cancer social support groups through collaborations with Samoan leaders and churches.
Authors: Brenda K Edwards; Martin L Brown; Phyllis A Wingo; Holly L Howe; Elizabeth Ward; Lynn A G Ries; Deborah Schrag; Patricia M Jamison; Ahmedin Jemal; Xiao Cheng Wu; Carol Friedman; Linda Harlan; Joan Warren; Robert N Anderson; Linda W Pickle Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2005-10-05 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: Sora Park Tanjasiri; Jacqueline H Tran; Paula Healani Palmer; Mary Anne Foo; Marion Hanneman; Cevadne Lee; Lola Sablan-Santos; Alek Sripipatana Journal: Pac Health Dialog Date: 2007-03
Authors: Pearl A McElfish; Karen Yeary; Imi A Sinclair; Susan Steelman; Monica K Esquivel; Nia Aitaoto; Keawe'aimoku Kaholokula; Rachel S Purvis; Britni L Ayers Journal: J Health Care Poor Underserved Date: 2019