Abstract

Objective

Early presentation with breast cancer symptoms is crucial to the effectiveness of treatment and the affected women’s long-term survival. However, in Indonesia, 60–70% of breast cancer patients first present themselves to the hospital in an advanced stage. Knowledge about the determinants of breast cancer early presentation could inform efforts to promote healthcare seeking at earlier symptomatic stages. In the current study, we explored the psychosocial determinants of early presentation among female breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 female breast cancer survivors in Surabaya, Indonesia (mean age = 49.8 years). Directed content analysis approach was used to analyse the data.

Results

Half of the respondents underwent breast cancer screening prior to onset of symptoms. Nine determinants of breast cancer early presentation were reflected in the women’s responses: (lack of) knowledge, perceived behavioural control, previous health related experiences and risk perceptions, attitudes and beliefs, norms, competing priorities, financial issues, instrumental factors, and health provider factors.

Conclusion

Health promotion efforts should focus on both internal and external psychosocial determinants related to the breast cancer early presentation, and on involving women’s social environment as target for education. Additionally, providing accessible and affordable healthcare is important for early presentation.

中文翻译：

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早期乳腺癌表现的决定因素：印度尼西亚女性幸存者的定性探索

摘要

客观的

早期出现乳腺癌症状对于治疗的有效性和受影响女性的长期生存至关重要。然而，在印度尼西亚，60-70% 的乳腺癌患者首次就诊时已处于晚期。关于乳腺癌早期表现的决定因素的知识可以为促进在早期症状阶段寻求医疗保健的努力提供信息。在目前的研究中，我们探讨了女性乳腺癌幸存者早期表现的社会心理决定因素。

方法

对印度尼西亚泗水的 23 名女性乳腺癌幸存者进行了面对面的半结构化访谈（平均年龄 = 49.8 岁）。采用定向内容分析法对数据进行分析。

结果

一半的受访者在出现症状之前接受了乳腺癌筛查。乳腺癌早期表现的九个决定因素反映在女性的反应中：（缺乏）知识、感知的行为控制、以前的健康相关经历和风险认知、态度和信念、规范、竞争优先事项、财务问题、工具因素和健康提供者因素。

结论

健康促进工作应侧重于与乳腺癌早期表现相关的内部和外部社会心理决定因素，并将妇女的社会环境作为教育目标。此外，提供可及且负担得起的医疗保健对于早期就诊很重要。