Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in Ethiopia
Objective. This study assessed the initial experiences, symptoms, and actions of patients in Ethiopia ultimately determined to have breast cancer. Methods. 69 participants in a comprehensive breast cancer treatment program at the main national cancer hospital in Ethiopia were interviewed using mixed...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Breast Cancer |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/908547 |
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| _version_ | 1832561035858411520 |
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| author | Timothy D. Dye Solomon Bogale Claire Hobden Yared Tilahun Teshome Deressa Anne Reeler |
| author_facet | Timothy D. Dye Solomon Bogale Claire Hobden Yared Tilahun Teshome Deressa Anne Reeler |
| author_sort | Timothy D. Dye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective. This study assessed the initial experiences, symptoms, and actions of patients in Ethiopia ultimately determined to have breast cancer. Methods. 69 participants in a comprehensive breast cancer treatment program at the main national cancer hospital in Ethiopia were interviewed using mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches. Participants’ narratives of their initial cancer experience were coded and analyzed for themes around their symptoms, time to seeking advice, triggers for action, and contextual factors. The assessment was approved by the Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine Institutional Review Board. Results. Nearly all women first noticed lumps, though few sought medical advice within the first year (average time to action: 1.5 years). Eventually, changes in their symptoms motivated most participants to seek advice. Most participants did not think the initial lump would be cancer, nor was a lump of any particular concern until symptoms changed. Conclusion. Given the frequency with which lumps are the first symptom noticed, raising awareness among participants that lumps should trigger medical consultation could contribute significantly to more rapid medical advice-seeking among women in Ethiopia. Primary care sites should be trained and equipped to offer evaluation of lumps so that women can be referred appropriately for assessment if needed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aa413f084e904523bb93094f590f16a7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-3170 2090-3189 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Breast Cancer |
| spelling | doaj-art-aa413f084e904523bb93094f590f16a72025-02-03T01:26:08ZengWileyInternational Journal of Breast Cancer2090-31702090-31892012-01-01201210.1155/2012/908547908547Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in EthiopiaTimothy D. Dye0Solomon Bogale1Claire Hobden2Yared Tilahun3Teshome Deressa4Anne Reeler5Division of Global Health Systems and Research, Axios International 75001, Paris, FranceRadiology Department, Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine, Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDivision of Global Health Systems and Research, Axios International 75001, Paris, FranceEthiopia Breast Cancer Project, Axios Foundation, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaEthiopian Cancer Association, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDivision of Global Health Systems and Research, Axios International 75001, Paris, FranceObjective. This study assessed the initial experiences, symptoms, and actions of patients in Ethiopia ultimately determined to have breast cancer. Methods. 69 participants in a comprehensive breast cancer treatment program at the main national cancer hospital in Ethiopia were interviewed using mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches. Participants’ narratives of their initial cancer experience were coded and analyzed for themes around their symptoms, time to seeking advice, triggers for action, and contextual factors. The assessment was approved by the Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine Institutional Review Board. Results. Nearly all women first noticed lumps, though few sought medical advice within the first year (average time to action: 1.5 years). Eventually, changes in their symptoms motivated most participants to seek advice. Most participants did not think the initial lump would be cancer, nor was a lump of any particular concern until symptoms changed. Conclusion. Given the frequency with which lumps are the first symptom noticed, raising awareness among participants that lumps should trigger medical consultation could contribute significantly to more rapid medical advice-seeking among women in Ethiopia. Primary care sites should be trained and equipped to offer evaluation of lumps so that women can be referred appropriately for assessment if needed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/908547 |
| spellingShingle | Timothy D. Dye Solomon Bogale Claire Hobden Yared Tilahun Teshome Deressa Anne Reeler Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in Ethiopia International Journal of Breast Cancer |
| title | Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in Ethiopia |
| title_full | Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in Ethiopia |
| title_short | Experience of Initial Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Triggers for Action in Ethiopia |
| title_sort | experience of initial symptoms of breast cancer and triggers for action in ethiopia |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/908547 |
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