An avalanche of ignoring--a qualitative study of health care avoidance in women with malignant breast cancer wounds.
BACKGROUND
A contributing factor to development of malignant wounds is patient-related delay caused by health care avoidance.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of health care avoidance in women with advanced breast cancer who have developed malignant wounds.


METHODS
A qualitative study was conducted based on semistructured interviews. Seventeen women with advanced breast cancer (median age, 69 years; range, 47-90 years) who had avoided medical treatment despite development of malignant wounds participated. Systematic text-condensation analysis was used.


RESULTS
The women deliberately avoided health care for a median of 24 months (minimum, 3 months; maximum, 84 months). Despite being aware of the development of a malignant wound from a breast lump, the women avoided health care because of negative health care experiences and extremely burdening life situations. The women did not seek health care until their situations became unmanageable. The essence--"an avalanche of ignoring"--is pointing to the escalating, powerful development of destructive feelings behind health care avoidance.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care avoidance may be a way of coping both for women who are primary and/or bereaved caregivers. Oncologists and nurses may contribute to the prevention hereof by means of information about the early signs of cancer, benefits of early diagnosis and treatment, and by paying special attention to these women, who may be at high risk for avoidant behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
In a preventive perspective, it seems advantageous to bring into focus the health of primary and bereaved caregivers, thereby potentially reducing patient delay and ultimately improving survival.
The University Hospitals Centre for Nursing and Care Research, Copenhagen, Denmark. Betina.Lund-Nielsen@rh.regionh.dk
Betina
B
Lund-Nielsen
Julie
J
Midtgaard
Mikael
M
Rørth
Finn
F
Gottrup
Lis
L
Adamsen
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*