Peer Review-Breast cancer stigma among Indonesian women: a case study of breast cancer patients

Solikhah, Solikhah and Matahari, Ratu and Utami, Fitriana Putri and Handayani, Lina and Marwati, Tri Ani (2020) Peer Review-Breast cancer stigma among Indonesian women: a case study of breast cancer patients. BMC Women's Health.

[thumbnail of PDF Peer Review] Image (PDF Peer Review)
Breast cancer .pdf - Published Version

Download (239kB)

Abstract

Background: The stigma experienced by cancer patients stems from the association of cancer with death, ascancer is the most feared disease worldwide, especially among cancer patients and their families. The stigmaregarding breast cancer screening behaviour has not been critically evaluated and is poorly understood; therefore,we aimed to analyse the stigmatization of breast cancer patients in Indonesia to reduce the morbidity andmortality of breast cancer.Methods: A qualitative study using a focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews with thematic analysiswas conducted.Results: One informant experienced breast pain and kept the referral letter, in which the medical doctor advisedmedical treatment, to herself for 3 months due to her embarrassment. A traditional healing practice known as‘kerokan’, which involves scraping of the skin, and consumption of a traditional drink were used by most informantsto decrease their breast pain. Finally, most informants were diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer whenthey returned to the health care facility. In addition, financial difficulties were noted as barriers to breast cancerscreening in Indonesia.Conclusions: Feelings of fear and shame when diagnosed with breast cancer were reported by the informants inthis study. Alternative treatment known as ‘kerokan’ was the first treatment sought for breast cancer symptoms dueto financial difficulties among breast cancer patients. Informants were diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancerafter they returned to the health care facility. A better understanding of early breast cancer symptoms couldmotivate women to seek out breast cancer treatment.

Item Type: Other
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisi / Prodi: Faculty of Public Health (Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat) > FKM Doc
Depositing User: M.Kes.Ph.D Lina Handayani
Date Deposited: 06 Jan 2021 12:13
Last Modified: 06 Jan 2021 12:13
URI: http://eprints.uad.ac.id/id/eprint/21759

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item