Beliefs and perceptions about breast cancer among the people living in rural and less privileged areas in Sindh, Pakistan

Bibliographic Data

ID21600927
AuthorsNadia Agha (0000-0002-3208-0952, Shah Abdul Latif University), Rahim Dad Rind (Shah Abdul Latif University)
Year2021
Volume121
Issue2
Pages200-214
Publication date2021-01-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0965-4283 • E-ISSN: 1758-714X
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/he-10-2020-0101
OpenAlexW3124687357
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited24

Purpose Globally, women suffer from a lack of knowledge about breast cancer (BC), its symptoms and treatment. The purpose of this paper is to examine how people living in rural and less developed areas in Pakistan perceive BC. The study investigates the level of knowledge about BC in rural communities and analyses how the prevalent perceptions and beliefs impact women's lives and delay the diagnosis. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on 42 in-depth interviews with the women who have undergone BC treatment during the past five years. The participants were interviewed were the residents of the northern Sindh, southern Pakistan. Findings Findings show that BC was perceived as a contagious disease transmitted through touching or being physically close to the patient. Some women were abandoned by their husbands because of this perception. Faith in fatalism and the perception that BC is an incurable disease were common in communities with low socio-economic status. This is likely to affect the prevention and early detection of BC. Originality/value The study shows a strong co-relation of awareness with the prevalent perceptions regarding BC. Therefore, we recommend promoting health literacy and introducing culturally specific interventions in remote communities to enhance their understanding of the available treatment and help remove misconceptions about BC

Breast cancer · Cancer · Disease · Fatalism · Health care · Health literacy · Literacy · Pathology · Perception · Psychological intervention · Rural area · BRCA gene mutations in cancer · Cervical Cancer and HPV Research · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Gerontology

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