Assessing the Coping Strategies and Care for women with Breast Cancer in Urban Nigeria

Breast cancer is the principal cause of cancer death among women worldwide and biggest cancer killer in Nigeria. This study examined factors affecting patient’s stance on disclosure of health status to family and the... [ view full abstract ]

Breast cancer is the principal cause of cancer death among women worldwide and biggest cancer killer in Nigeria. This study examined factors affecting patient’s stance on disclosure of health status to family and the assessment of family and institutional support available to women with breast cancer in urban sprawl of Nigeria. The study adopted qualitative study through 16 in-depth interviews among the survivors. The respondents were selected randomly on various oncology clinic days from randomly selected specialised health facilities in Ogun and Kwara States. Each of these states was chosen randomly from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, which were re-grouped into two (Southern and Northern). Results revealed that family based intervention support is often limited and in some cases not available (not all family members were supportive) through the diagnosis and treatment stages). Result also indicated that most survivors never openly disclosed their state of health either at diagnosis or during treatment due to the fear of being stigmatized. A non-disclosure attitude affects the quality of help and interventions available to this survival. The study concludes that a more robust enlightenment will intervene in the help and quality of support victims get assuring them of what else they can live for after cancer. This will further ignite their hope to pull through.