%0 Journal Article
%T Living with Advanced Breast Cancer among Ghanaian Women: Emotional and Psychosocial Experiences
%A Adwoa Bemah Bonsu
%A Lydia Aziato
%A Joe Nat A. Clegg-Lamptey
%J International Journal of Palliative Care
%D 2014
%R 10.1155/2014/403473
%X The purpose of this study was to explore the emotional and psychosocial experiences of Ghanaian women living with advanced breast cancer in the Kumasi metropolis. The study employed a qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Purposive sampling approach was used and data was saturated with 10 participants aged between 32 and 65 years. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. Data was analyzed concurrently based on the techniques of content analysis. Anonymity and confidentiality were ensured. Women experienced emotional reactions such as sadness, fear, and anxiety. Pain was severe and led to suicidal ideations. Women experienced lost hopes regarding their marriage, parenting, and work. They received support from their families, spouses, colleagues, health professionals, and spiritual leaders. Women coped by accepting the disease and surrendering to God and having the will to live. Five major themes described were emotional reactions, pain, lost hope, support, and coping. It was recommended that health care providers involved in breast cancer management should be trained to enhance effective and holistic care of women and their families. Also, patients with advanced disease should be given effective pain management and a multidisciplinary palliative care team should be instituted to care for the women. 1. Introduction Breast cancer is a devastating disease among women and it is known to be associated with severe emotional and psychosocial consequences. The emotional and psychosocial experiences of breast cancer patients are well documented in many countries [1]. Early diagnosis of breast cancer leads to a better chance of cure. However, late diagnosis of the disease provides avenue for palliative care because of minimal chances of cure [2]. In many developing countries including Ghana, breast cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage due to late reporting [3]. Factors that contribute to late reporting include fear of death associated with removal of the breast (mastectomy), seeking alternative treatment, and inadequate knowledge of breast cancer [4]. Research on breast cancer in Ghana confirms that the majority of breast cancer patients (47%¨C75%) report at the late stage of disease [3, 5] and this implies that many women have advanced breast cancer (ABC). However, previous research on breast cancer in Ghana [3, 4, 6, 7] has not explored the experiences of women with advanced breast cancer although the incidence is high. It is observed that the majority of women find the diagnosis of advanced disease more stressful than that of early stage breast
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijpc/2014/403473/