CN72 - 'I thought I was probably going to die due to people's looking at me with pity’: A phenomenological qualitative study on the lived cancer stigma experiences of breast cancer patients

Background

It has been stated that there is a need for more recognition of the ‘stigma concept’ that negatively affects the lives of breast cancer patients during diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to examine in depth the lived stigma experiences of breast cancer women during diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

This descriptive phenomenology qualitative study was conducted with breast cancer patients in the chemotherapy unit at a private hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The study’s sample was chosen by purposive sampling method, and data saturation was reached with 18 patients. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire between December 2023 and March 2024. Data were analyzed using Collaizi's 7-step descriptive analysis. This study was conducted in a single private hospital in a single country and culture. Trustworthiness is maintained through credibility, transferability and confirmability.

Results

The mean age of the patients who participated in the study was 48.22 years (SD=7.99), the majority were married (88.9%). 61.11% had a disease duration of 1 year or less and 44.44% had stage II. Four main themes and eight subthemes emerged from the study: (1) Cancer metaphors: ‘A dark journey, a bomb falling on the house!, cancer= death’; (2) social stigma: ‘Cancer= an infectious disease, people’s negative and disturbing attitudes and approaches, cannot tell the diagnosis’; (3) internalized stigma, and (4) coping: ‘Acceptance, social support.’

Conclusions

It was determined that patients experienced emotional difficulties due to people's negative attitudes towards cancer, looking at them with pity or disturbing statements, and also that their social interactions were negatively affected due to the internalized stigma and that they were in an effort to cope with all the problems they experienced. The study sheds light on the psychological needs of breast cancer patients related ‘stigmatization’. Nurses should provide support to patients regarding coping methods with stigma. Interventional studies including coping programs with ‘stigmatization’ for breast cancer patients should be conducted in future studies.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

TPS.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.