Women and Family Members’ Views Regarding Early Decisions about Breast Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study
Dublin Core
Title
Women and Family Members’ Views Regarding Early Decisions about Breast Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study
Subject
Breast cancer; decision; family members; treatment; women
Description
Background: Conventional or hospital treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy,
or radiotherapy is widely recommended by health care providers for treating breast
cancer. Early decision in conventional treatment is a complex phenomenon that
requires careful consideration of the medical condition, available information,
potential risk, financial, job, and involvement of family members. However, there is
an inadequate understanding of early decisions about conventional treatment in
Malaysia.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the early decisions about breast cancer
treatment among women and their family members.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative, narrative approach. Purposive and
snowball sampling were applied, and 28 participants were recruited for this study.
The participants took part in in-depth, face-to-face, and audio-recorded one-time
interviews. All interviews were subsequently transcribed verbatim and analysed
using narrative analysis.
Results: This study identified two themes regarding early decisions about breast
cancer treatment: (1) women and family members who accepted immediate
conventional treatment, and (2) women and family members who refused
immediate conventional treatment. This study discovered that some women and
family members agreed to undergo conventional treatment immediately due to
following doctors’ advice, influence by other patients with breast cancer, personal
attitude, and appropriate knowledge concerning breast cancer. Meanwhile, other
women refused it due to fear, not ready to undergo treatment, influenced by other
people and socio-culture template. The unique finding in this study is the presence
of specific socio-cultural templates related to breast cancer.
Conclusion: This study highlights that health care providers can assist women who
decline breast cancer treatment by offering education about conventional treatment
options. This can be achieved by providing accurate information about the
treatment, addressing treatment-related fears, providing emotional support, and
encouraging open communication regarding the reasons for refusing conventional
treatment.
or radiotherapy is widely recommended by health care providers for treating breast
cancer. Early decision in conventional treatment is a complex phenomenon that
requires careful consideration of the medical condition, available information,
potential risk, financial, job, and involvement of family members. However, there is
an inadequate understanding of early decisions about conventional treatment in
Malaysia.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the early decisions about breast cancer
treatment among women and their family members.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative, narrative approach. Purposive and
snowball sampling were applied, and 28 participants were recruited for this study.
The participants took part in in-depth, face-to-face, and audio-recorded one-time
interviews. All interviews were subsequently transcribed verbatim and analysed
using narrative analysis.
Results: This study identified two themes regarding early decisions about breast
cancer treatment: (1) women and family members who accepted immediate
conventional treatment, and (2) women and family members who refused
immediate conventional treatment. This study discovered that some women and
family members agreed to undergo conventional treatment immediately due to
following doctors’ advice, influence by other patients with breast cancer, personal
attitude, and appropriate knowledge concerning breast cancer. Meanwhile, other
women refused it due to fear, not ready to undergo treatment, influenced by other
people and socio-culture template. The unique finding in this study is the presence
of specific socio-cultural templates related to breast cancer.
Conclusion: This study highlights that health care providers can assist women who
decline breast cancer treatment by offering education about conventional treatment
options. This can be achieved by providing accurate information about the
treatment, addressing treatment-related fears, providing emotional support, and
encouraging open communication regarding the reasons for refusing conventional
treatment.
Creator
Wan Hasliza Wan Mamat1
, Nikki Jarrett2, Nur Alia Hairulisa@Mohd Hairi3, Norfadzilah Ahmad1
,
Ashikin Atan1
, Susi Lund4
, Nikki Jarrett2, Nur Alia Hairulisa@Mohd Hairi3, Norfadzilah Ahmad1
,
Ashikin Atan1
, Susi Lund4
Source
https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v13i2.51944
Date
27 August 2023
Contributor
PERI IRAWAN
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
Wan Hasliza Wan Mamat1
, Nikki Jarrett2, Nur Alia Hairulisa@Mohd Hairi3, Norfadzilah Ahmad1
,
Ashikin Atan1
, Susi Lund4, “Women and Family Members’ Views Regarding Early Decisions about Breast Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11179.