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South African Journal of Surgery

On-line version ISSN 2078-5151
Print version ISSN 0038-2361

S. Afr. j. surg. vol.57 n.1 Cape Town Mar. 2019

http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2078-5151/2019/v57n1a2746 

BREAST ONCOLOGY

 

Experiences of women in survivorship following mastectomy in the Cape Metropole

 

 

NE Stecher; MA Cohen; EJ Myburgh

Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Correspondence

 

 


SUMMARY

BACKGROUND: In spite of significant improvements in the treatment of breast cancer, many women still undergo mastectomy. The effects of breast cancer surgery on the diverse population of South African women have not been well studied. Insight may be gained in how to aid recovery in survivorship by identifying the support needs of women following mastectomy. This study aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences of women in the Cape Metropole following mastectomy in survivorship
METHODS: A qualitative study guided by descriptive phenomenology and grounded in the post positivist philosophy of Husserl. Seven women from the Cape Metropole were interviewed in English following ethical approval. The semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed
RESULTS: Three general themes emerged: Psychological impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the impact of an altered body image and concern for family and reliance on them for support, with a theme specific to stigmatisation within the Xhosa culture
CONCLUSION: The need to shield family members from breast cancer diagnosis was contrasted by the need for family support. Cultural stigmata still prevail within the South African population

Key words: body image, breast cancer, family support needs, psychological experiences and mastectomy, Xhosa culture and cancer.


 

 

Background

Breast cancer is the most frequent non-cutaneous cancer in women in both developed and developing countries.1 Surgery remains an integral part of the treatment for breast cancer. Despite the move towards progressive breast conservation from the 1970s,2 a significant number of patients will undergo mastectomy with or without axillary clearance.3 Although the term survivorship in the medical context refers to a period > 5 years after a life-threatening disease, cancer survivorship is regarded as the period following primary therapy up to cancer recurrence or death.4

Women's experiences after breast cancer diagnosis include fear of the future, recurrence of the disease, feelings of loss, concerns regarding body image and self-concept, which relate to role adjustment and family responses in survivorship.5

The research problem was based on the assumption that healthcare workers may not fully experience the impact of mastectomy on women due to their limited interaction with the patient during selective phases of their treatment and recovery.

The researcher, a professional operating room nurse, assisting with breast surgeries, identified a need and purposed to explore and describe the lived experiences of women in the Cape Metropole in survivorship following mastectomy, in order to establish what their support needs are. This is significant so that insight may be gained in how to aid their recovery in survivorship.

The research question asked 'What are the lived experiences of women residing in the Cape Metropole in South Africa, in survivorship following mastectomy?'

 

Methods

Ethical approval (reference S14/11/266) for this study was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University. A qualitative study guided by descriptive phenomenology was undertaken based on the post-positivist philosophy of Husserl who avers that reality is a creation of the individuals involved in the research and is therefore subjective.6 The inclusion criteria was English-speaking women residing in the Cape Metropole who had undergone uni- or bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer regardless of adjuvant or neo adjuvant therapy or the treatment centre.

With guidance from a local breast cancer support group, semi-structured interviews were conducted in English. The questions were based on an initial opening question "Which events occurred that led you to discover that you have breast cancer?"

 

Table 1 - Click here

 

This allowed the participants to freely share their experiences within a non-threatening dialogue guided by open-ended semi-structured questions and probing words. The research setting was left to the participant's choice, predominantly their homes which were neutral and private. A pilot interview provided insight into the interviewing process.

In total, seven participants were contacted via snowball/ network sampling from names provided by a local breast cancer support group of which four agreed to participate and three more were recruited via nursing colleagues and a breast surgeon. During the initial meeting, the researcher introduced her-self and the purpose of the study to the participant. The participant was free to sign an informed consent form or decline the interview. All agreed to participate. Support from a social worker/ psychologist was available if needed.

Ethically, participant autonomy, anonymity and confidentiality were ensured. Labelling the interview numerically protected each participant's privacy.

Data collection occurred from 26 February-26 August 2015 at a venue of the participant's choice via semi-structured audio-recorded interviews in English, lasting between 30-60 minutes. Field notes were kept. Participant 1 was re-interviewed in order to gain a further understanding of cultural challenges.

Participant 3's sister, present at verification shared some of her experiences in relation to coping.

Transcribed interviews were thematically analysed. This included familiarization and data immersion, inducing themes, coding, elaboration and interpretation and checking.7 The themes were presented as findings.

The trustworthiness of the study was guided by credibility, transferability, conformability and dependability.8 The credibility of the study was ensured by the authenticity of data, field notes and the verification of data by participants and the study supervisor. Transferability of data was ensured as rich data was recorded and transcribed verbatim, thematically analysed and interpreted. An audit trail of the research process ensured conformability. The research was dependable as the interviews were transcribed verbatim and is stored for 5 years.

The researcher set aside what was known to her regarding the phenomenon in order to hear the voice of the participant.

 

Results

All participants freely described their experiences. Three themes emerged with one theme specific to the two Xhosa-speaking participants.

 

Themes - Click here

 

Discussion

The psychological impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

The women in this study experienced emotional and psychological stress after breast cancer diagnosis and needed support in the post-treatment period.

Researchers have confirmed that women diagnosed with breast cancer experienced fear of cancer spreading, loss of control, lack of energy, feelings of sadness, depression and faced an uncertain future.9 Towsley, Beck and Watkins found that women sought to gain a sense of control over the disease and its threat to life10 by creating a new status quo and developing coping strategies.11

In addition, Almeida et al.12 stated that acceptance was a significant point where women began to face the facts, possibilities and limitations of breast cancer.

It appeared that the participants of this study mostly found support from family and friends. As a result of physical weakness and fatigue due to cancer related treatments they were less likely to attend breast cancer support groups. However, some experienced support from other women attending the same treatment centres.

The impact of an altered body image

The participants in this study expressed their need to appear normal in society after breast cancer surgery and treatment.

A study revealed that breasts, seen as a symbol of beauty, sensuality and femininity in society played a role in self-image and value, thus women following mastectomy experienced shame 12. Arroyo and Lopez found that women, post mastectomy, experienced an 'attack' on their body image. They felt less attractive to their partners, which resulted in a low self-esteem and a sense of loss of their value as a woman.13 In addition, they felt that hair loss exposed their disease to society.12 In this study, however, while some participants found hair loss devastating, others accepted it. While some preferred a wig, others preferred a headscarf.

Concern for family members and reliance on them for support

A dichotomy emerged as the participants, carers of their families, were faced with their need for care. As supported in the findings by Almeida et al., the participants in this study experienced emotional conflict since there was a role change from caring to being cared for as they became more dependent on their family while they were in treatment.12 Researchers also showed that support needs were predominantly seen in physical elements of daily living, health care information and psychological needs.14

Families were found to be the main support structures during the participant's oncological treatment.12 Due to this burden, it was noted that the emotional impact on the family was almost as high as that of the patient.9 The findings of this study revealed that the families of women following mastectomy had information and support needs. It was also noted that in the absence of family some participants' friends adopted supportive roles.

Stigmatisation within the Xhosa culture

The two Xhosa participants experienced social stigmatization due to cultural misperceptions. There seemed to be perceptions of 'no cure'. Mutebi and Edge noted that a lack of understanding of the disease process, its unpredictability and complex treatments led to uncertainty.10 Breast cancer was seen as a curse and a killer disease, the 'stigma of death'.12 Researchers also noted that patients felt socially isolated since breast cancer is not talked about in the Xhosa community.15 As a result of the study findings it became clear that in order to increase an understanding of breast cancer and treatment, Xhosa women needed support and education to be communicated in their mother tongue.

 

Conclusion and Recommendations

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment significantly impacted the participants during survivorship.

This study highlighted some of the challenges women experienced following mastectomy, which may contribute to meaningful holistic nursing care, recovery and adaptation of these patients and their families.

The family's need for support became evident since they took on the role of primary care giver for their loved one following mastectomy.

Health care providers should be more aware of individual patient and family needs in order to facilitate recovery. Moreover, support in survivorship should be offered in the mother tongue of the patient.

Due to the recruiting method and the nature of qualitative research, the study is limited by a small sample size. Contrasted to the vast nature of cancer survivorship, cancer remains a very personal disease and valuable insight could be gained from individual interaction with women.

Qualitative research is less often presented to the scientific community and is often criticised for difficulty in quantifying outcomes and perceived bias. The large volume of raw data and the time-consuming analysis often results in limited participant numbers. It is also more difficult to demonstrate and maintain rigor, but it provides valuable data on the true human experience in an unrestricted environment, which might be more compelling than quantitative data from a controlled and limited environment.16

Further research into the challenges experienced within the Xhosa culture may bring insight into the information needs of Xhosa patients to enhance their understanding of the treatment.

In addition further research should be focused on the information and the support needs of the family.

 

REFERENCES

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Correspondence:
NE Stecher
stecher06@gmail.com

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