Understanding quality-of-life issues in Chinese women with breast cancer: a qualitative investigation.
Little is known about the cultural beliefs and quality of life (QOL) of US-born and foreign-born Chinese women with breast cancer. We conducted individual semistructured qualitative interviews to explore the meaning of QOL, identify beliefs about cancer, and make comparison between US-born and foreign-born survivors. Women in this study identified the stigma of breast cancer that exists in the Asian community. They also described interpersonal support as central to a good QOL. However, when describing QOL, foreign-born Chinese women referred to wealth more frequently, while US-born Chinese women indicated friendship more frequently. The study findings support the need for culturally appropriate interventions that take into consideration the cancer-related beliefs and QOL of breast cancer survivors in the Chinese community.
Wong-Kim
Evaon
E
Department of Social Work, California State University, Hayward, CA 94542, USA. evaon@csuhayward.edu
Sun
Angela
A
Merighi
Joseph R
JR
Chow
Edward A
EA
D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors